Sirach 18
Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)Translation
Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)
Clementine Vulgate, 1598
1He that liveth for ever created all things together. God only shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king for ever.
1[Qui vivet in æternum creavit omnia simul. Deus solus justificabitur, et manet invictus rex in æternum.
2Who is able to declare his works?
2Quis sufficit enarrare opera illius?
3For who shall search out his glorious acts?
3quis enim investigabit magnalia ejus?
4And who shall shew forth the power of his majesty? or who shall be able to declare his mercy?
4virtutem autem magnitudinis ejus quis enuntiabit? aut quis adjiciet enarrare misericordiam ejus?
5Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to find out the glorious works of God:
5Non est minuere neque adjicere, nec est invenire magnalia Dei.
6When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth off, he shall be at a loss.
6Cum consummaverit homo, tunc incipiet: et cum quieverit, aporiabitur.
7What is man, and what is his grace? and what is his good, or what is his evil?
7Quid est homo? et quæ est gratia illius? et quid bonum aut quid nequam illius?
8The number of the days of men at the most are a hundred years: as a drop of water of the sea are they esteemed: and as a pebble of the sand, so are a few years compared to eternity.
8Numerus dierum hominum, ut multum centum anni, quasi gutta aquæ maris deputati sunt: et sicut calculus arenæ, sic exigui anni in die ævi.
9Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.
9Propter hoc patiens est Deus in illis, et effundit super eos misericordiam suam.
10He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is wicked, and hath known their end that it is evil.
10Vidit præsumptionem cordis eorum, quoniam mala est: et cognovit subversionem illorum, quoniam nequam est.
11Therefore bath he filled up his mercy in their favour, and hath shewn them the way of justice.
11Ideo adimplevit propitiationem suam in illis, et ostendit eis viam æquitatis.
12The compassion of man is toward his neighbour: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh.
12Miseratio hominis circa proximum suum: misericordia autem Dei super omnem carnem.
13He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his hock.
13Qui misericordiam habet, docet et erudit quasi pastor gregem suum.
14He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and that maketh haste in his judgments.
14Miseretur excipientis doctrinam miserationis, et qui festinat in judiciis ejus.]
15My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou givest any thing, add not grief by an evil word.
15[Fili, in bonis non des querelam, et in omni dato non des tristitiam verbi mali.
16Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so also the good word is better than the gift.
16Nonne ardorem refrigerabit ros? sic et verbum melius quam datum.
17Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a justified man.
17Nonne ecce verbum super datum bonum? sed utraque cum homine justificato.
18A fool will upbraid bitterly: and a gift of one ill taught consumeth the eyes.
18Stultus acriter improperabit: et datus indisciplinati tabescere facit oculos.
19Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou speak.
19Ante judicium para justitiam tibi, et antequam loquaris, disce.
20Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God.
20Ante languorem adhibe medicinam: et ante judicium interroga teipsum, et in conspectu Dei invenies propitiationem.
21Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness shew thy conversation.
21Ante languorem humilia te, et in tempore infirmitatis ostende conversationem tuam.
22Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth for ever.
22Non impediaris orare semper, et ne verearis usque ad mortem justificari, quoniam merces Dei manet in æternum.
23Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God.
23Ante orationem præpara animam tuam, et noli esse quasi homo qui tentat Deum.
24Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face.
24Memento iræ in die consummationis, et tempus retributionis in conversatione faciei.
25Remember poverty is the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches.
25Memento paupertatis in tempore abundantiæ, et necessitatum paupertatis in die divitiarum.
26From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.
26A mane usque ad vesperam immutabitur tempus, et hæc omnia citata in oculis Dei.
27A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the days of sins will beware of sloth.
27Homo sapiens in omnibus metuet, et in diebus delictorum attendet ab inertia.
28Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise to him that findeth her.
28Omnis astutus agnoscit sapientiam, et invenienti eam dabit confessionem.
29They that were of good understanding in words, have also done wisely themselves: and have understood truth and justice, and have poured forth proverbs and judgments.
29Sensati in verbis et ipsi sapienter egerunt, et intellexerunt veritatem et justitiam, et impleverunt proverbia et judicia.]
30Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from thy own will.
30[Post concupiscentias tuas non eas, et a voluntate tua avertere.
31If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies.
31Si præstes animæ tuæ concupiscentias ejus, faciat te in gaudium inimicis tuis.
32Take no pleasure in riotous assemblies, be they ever so small: for their concertation is continual.
32Ne oblecteris in turbis nec in modicis: assidua enim est commissio illorum.
33Make not thyself poor by borrowing to contribute to feasts when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt be an enemy to thy own life.
33Ne fueris mediocris in contentione ex fœnore, et est tibi nihil in sacculo: eris enim invidus vitæ tuæ.]
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