Wisdom of Solomon 6
Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)Translation
Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)
Clementine Vulgate, 1598
1Wisdom is better than strength, and a wise man is better than a strong man.
1[Melior est sapientia quam vires, et vir prudens quam fortis.
2Hear therefore, ye kings, and understand: learn, ye that are judges of the ends of the earth.
2Audite ergo, reges, et intelligite; discite, judices finium terræ.
3Give ear, you that rule the people, and that please yourselves in multitudes of nations:
3Præbete aures, vos qui continetis multitudines, et placetis vobis in turbis nationum.
4For power is given you by the Lord, and strength by the most High, who will examine your works, and search out your thoughts:
4Quoniam data est a Domino potestas vobis, et virtus ab Altissimo: qui interrogabit opera vestra, et cogitationes scrutabitur.
5Because being ministers of his kingdom, you have not judged rightly, nor kept the law of justice, nor walked according to the will of God.
5Quoniam cum essetis ministri regni illius, non recte judicastis, nec custodistis legem justitiæ, neque secundum voluntatem Dei ambulastis.
6Horribly and speedily will he appear to you: for a most severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule.
6Horrende et cito apparebit vobis, quoniam judicium durissimum his qui præsunt fiet.
7For to him that is little, mercy is granted: but the mighty shall be mightily tormented.
7Exiguo enim conceditur misericordia; potentes autem potenter tormenta patientur.
8For God will not except any man’s person, neither will he stand in awe of any man’s greatness: for he made the little and the great, and he hath equally care of all.
8Non enim subtrahet personam cujusquam Deus, nec verebitur magnitudinem ejus cujusquam, quoniam pusillum et magnum ipse fecit, et æqualiter cura est illi de omnibus.
9But a greater punishment is ready for the more mighty.
9Fortioribus autem fortior instat cruciatio.
10To you, therefore, O kings, are these my words, that you may learn wisdom, and not fall from it.
10Ad vos ergo, reges, sunt hi sermones mei: ut discatis sapientiam, et non excidatis.
11For they that have kept just things justly, shall be justified: and they that have learned these things, shall find what to answer.
11Qui enim custodierint justa juste, justificabuntur; et qui didicerint ista, invenient quid respondeant.
12Covet ye therefore my words, and love them, and you shall have instruction.
12Concupiscite ergo sermones meos; diligite illos, et habebitis disciplinam.
13Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away, and is easily seen by them that love her, and is found by them that seek her.
13Clara est, et quæ numquam marcescit, sapientia: et facile videtur ab his qui diligunt eam, et invenitur ab his qui quærunt illam.
14She preventeth them that covet her, so that she first sheweth herself unto them.
14Præoccupat qui se concupiscunt, ut illis se prior ostendat.
15He that awaketh early to seek her, shall not labour: for he shall find her sitting at his door.
15Qui de luce vigilaverit ad illam non laborabit; assidentem enim illam foribus suis inveniet.
16To think therefore upon her, is perfect understanding: and he that watcheth for her, shall quickly be secure.
16Cogitare ergo de illa sensus est consummatus, et qui vigilaverit propter illam cito securus erit.
17For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, and she sheweth herself to them cheerfully in the ways, and meeteth them with all providence.
17Quoniam dignos se ipsa circuit quærens, et in viis ostendit se hilariter, et in omni providentia occurrit illis.
18For the beginning of her is the most true desire of discipline.
18Initium enim illius verissima est disciplinæ concupiscentia.
19And the care of discipline is love: and love is the keeping of her laws: and the keeping of her laws is the firm foundation of incorruption:
19Cura ergo disciplinæ dilectio est, et dilectio custodia legum illius est; custoditio autem legum consummatio incorruptionis est;
20And incorruption bringeth near to God.
20incorruptio autem facit esse proximum Deo.
21Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to the everlasting kingdom.
21Concupiscentia itaque sapientiæ deducit ad regnum perpetuum.
22If then your delight be in thrones, and sceptres, O ye kings of the people, love wisdom, that you may reign for ever.
22Si ergo delectamini sedibus et sceptris, o reges populi, diligite sapientiam, ut in perpetuum regnetis:
23Love the light of wisdom, all ye that bear rule over peoples.
23diligite lumen sapientiæ, omnes qui præestis populis.]
24Now what wisdom is, and what was her origin, I will declare: and I will not hide from you the mysteries of God, but will seek her out from the beginning of her birth, and bring the knowledge of her to light, and will not pass over the truth:
24[Quid est autem sapientia, et quemadmodum facta sit, referam, et non abscondam a vobis sacramenta Dei: sed ab initio nativitatis investigabo, et ponam in lucem scientiam illius, et non præteribo veritatem.
25Neither will I go with consuming envy: for such a man shall not be partaker of wisdom.
25Neque cum invidia tabescente iter habebo, quoniam talis homo non erit particeps sapientiæ.
26Now the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the whole world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people.
26Multitudo autem sapientium sanitas est orbis terrarum, et rex sapiens stabilimentum populi est.
27Receive therefore instruction by my words, and it shall be profitable to you.
27Ergo accipite disciplinam per sermones meos, et proderit vobis.]
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