| 1 |
melior est sapientia quam vires et vir prudens magis quam fortis
Wisdom is better than strength: and a wise man is better than a strong man.
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| 2 |
audite ergo reges et intellegite discite iudices finium terrae
Hear, therefore, ye kings, and understand, learn ye that are judges of the ends of the earth.
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| 3 |
praebete aures vos qui continetis multitudines et placetis vobis in turbis nationum
Give ear, you that rule the people, and that please yourselves in multitudes of nations:
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| 4 |
quoniam data est a Domino potestas vobis et virtus ab Altissimo qui interrogabit opera vestra et cogitationes scrutabitur
For power is given you by the Lord, and strength by the most High, who will examine your works: and search out your thoughts:
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| 5 |
quoniam cum essetis ministri regni illius non recte iudicastis neque custodistis legem iustitiae neque secundum voluntatem Dei ambulastis
Because being ministers of his kingdom, you have not judged rightly, nor kept the law of justice, nor walked according to the will of God.
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| 6 |
horrende et cito apparebit vobis quoniam iudicium durissimum in his qui praesunt fiet
Horribly and speedily will he appear to you: for a most severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule.
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| 7 |
exiguo enim conceditur misericordia potentes autem potenter tormenta patientur
For to him that is little, mercy is granted: but the mighty shall be mightily tormented.
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| 8 |
non enim subtrahet personam cuiusquam Dominus nec reverebitur magnitudinem cuiusquam quoniam pusillum et magnum ipse fecit et aequaliter cura est illi pro omnibus
For 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.
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| 9 |
fortioribus autem fortior instat cruciatio
But a greater punishment is ready for the more mighty.
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| 10 |
ad vos ergo reges sunt hi sermones mei ut discatis sapientiam et non excidatis
To you, therefore, O kings, are these my words, that you may learn wisdom, and not fall from it.
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| 11 |
qui enim custodierint iusta iuste iustificabuntur et qui didicerint ista invenient quid respondeant
For they that have kept just things justly, shall be justified: and they that have learned these things, shall find what to answer.
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| 12 |
concupiscite ergo sermones meos diligite illos et habebitis disciplinam
Covet ye, therefore, my words, and love them, and you shall have instruction.
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| 13 |
clara est et quae numquam marcescat sapientia et facile videtur ab his qui diligunt eam et invenietur ab his qui quaerunt illam
Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away, and is easily seen by them that love her, and is found by them that seek her.
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| 14 |
praeoccupat qui se concupiscunt ut illis se prior ostendat
She preventeth them that covet her, so that she first sheweth herself unto them.
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| 15 |
qui de luce vigilaverit ad illam non laborabit adsidentem enim illam foribus suis inveniet
He that awaketh early to seek her, shall not labour: for he shall find her sitting at his door.
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| 16 |
cogitare ergo de illa sensus est consummatus et qui vigilaverit propter illam cito erit securus
To think, therefore, upon her, is perfect understanding: and he that watcheth for her, shall quickly be secure.
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| 17 |
quoniam dignos se ipsa circuit quaerens et in viis ostendit se illis hilariter et in omni providentia occurrit illis
For 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.
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| 18 |
initium enim illius verissima est disciplinae concupiscentia
For the beginning of her is the most true desire of discipline.
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| 19 |
cura ergo disciplinae dilectio est et dilectio custoditio legum illius est custoditio autem legum consummatio incorruptionis est
And 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:
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| 20 |
incorruptio autem facit esse proximum Deo
And incorruption bringeth near to God.
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| 21 |
concupiscentia itaque sapientiae deducet ad regnum perpetuum
Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to the everlasting kingdom.
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| 22 |
si ergo delectamini sedibus et stemmatibus reges populi diligite sapientiam ut in perpetuum regnetis
If then your delight be in thrones, and sceptres, O ye kings of the people, love wisdom, that you may reign for ever.
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| 23 |
[OMITTED TEXT]
Love the light of wisdom, all ye that bear rule over peoples.
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| 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 praeteribo veritatem
Now 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:
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| 25 |
neque cum invidia tabescente iter habebo quoniam ista non erit particeps sapientiae
Neither will I go with consuming envy: for such a man shall not be partaker of wisdom.
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| 26 |
multitudo autem sapientium sanitas est orbis terrarum et rex sapiens populi stabilimentum est
Now the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the whole world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people.
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| 27 |
ergo accipite disciplinam per sermones meos et proderit vobis
Receive, therefore, instruction by my words, and it shall be profitable to you.
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