1 Better it is to have no children, and to have virtue: for the memorial thereof is immortal: because it is known with God, and with men.

1 O quam pulchra est casta generatio, cum claritate!
immortalis est enim memoria illius,
quoniam et apud Deum nota est, et apud homines.

2 When it is present, men take example at it; and when it is gone, they desire it: it weareth a crown, and triumpheth for ever, having gotten the victory, striving for undefiled rewards.

2 Cum præsens est, imitantur illam,
et desiderant eam cum se eduxerit;
et in perpetuum coronata triumphat,
incoinquinatorum certaminum præmium vincens.

3 But the multiplying brood of the ungodly shall not thrive, nor take deep rooting from bastard slips, nor lay any fast foundation.

3 Multigena autem impiorum multitudo non erit utilis,
et spuria vitulamina non dabunt radices altas,
nec stabile firmamentum collocabunt.

4 For though they flourish in branches for a time; yet standing not fast, they shall be shaken with the wind, and through the force of winds they shall be rooted out.

4 Etsi in ramis in tempore germinaverint,
infirmiter posita, a vento commovebuntur,
et a nimietate ventorum eradicabuntur.

5 The imperfect branches shall be broken off, their fruit unprofitable, not ripe to eat, yea, meet for nothing.

5 Confringentur enim rami inconsummati;
et fructus illorum inutiles et acerbi ad manducandum,
et ad nihilum apti.

6 For children begotten of unlawful beds are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial.

6 Ex iniquis enim somnis filii qui nascuntur,
testes sunt nequitiæ adversus parentes in interrogatione sua.

7 But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest.

7 Justus autem si morte præoccupatus fuerit,
in refrigerio erit;

8 For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years.

8 senectus enim venerabilis est non diuturna,
neque annorum numero computata:
cani autem sunt sensus hominis,

9 But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age.

9 et ætas senectutis vita immaculata.

10 He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among sinners he was translated.

10 Placens Deo factus est dilectus,
et vivens inter peccatores translatus est.

11 Yea, speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.

11 Raptus est, ne malitia mutaret intellectum ejus,
aut ne fictio deciperet animam illius.

12 For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind.

12 Fascinatio enim nugacitatis obscurat bona,
et inconstantia concupiscentiæ transvertit sensum sine malitia.

13 He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time:

13 Consummatus in brevi,
explevit tempora multa;

14 For his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked.

14 placita enim erat Deo anima illius:
propter hoc properavit educere illum de medio iniquitatum.
Populi autem videntes, et non intelligentes,
nec ponentes in præcordiis talia,

15 This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds, That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen.

15 quoniam gratia Dei et misericordia est in sanctos ejus,
et respectus in electos illius.

16 Thus the righteous that is dead shall condemn the ungodly which are living; and youth that is soon perfected the many years and old age of the unrighteous.

16 Condemnat autem justus mortuus vivos impios,
et juventus celerius consummata longam vitam injusti.

17 For they shall see the end of the wise, and shall not understand what God in his counsel hath decreed of him, and to what end the Lord hath set him in safety.

17 Videbunt enim finem sapientis,
et non intelligent quid cogitaverit de illo Deus,
et quare munierit illum Dominus.

18 They shall see him, and despise him; but God shall laugh them to scorn: and they shall hereafter be a vile carcase, and a reproach among the dead for evermore.

18 Videbunt, et contemnent eum;
illos autem Dominus irridebit.

19 For he shall rend them, and cast them down headlong, that they shall be speechless; and he shall shake them from the foundation; and they shall be utterly laid waste, and be in sorrow; and their memorial shall perish.

19 Et erunt post hæc decidentes sine honore,
et in contumelia inter mortuos in perpetuum:
quoniam disrumpet illos inflatos sine voce,
et commovebit illos a fundamentis,
et usque ad supremum desolabuntur,
et erunt gementes, et memoria illorum peribit.

20 And when they cast up the accounts of their sins, they shall come with fear: and their own iniquities shall convince them to their face.

20 Venient in cogitatione peccatorum suorum timidi,
et traducent illos ex adverso iniquitates ipsorum.