| 1 |
sum quidem et ego mortalis homo similis omnibus et ex genere terreno illius qui prior finctus est et in ventre matris figuratus sum caro
I myself am a mortal man, like all others, and of the race of him, that was first made of the earth, and in the womb of my mother I was fashioned to be flesh.
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| 2 |
decem mensuum tempore coagulatus in sanguine ex semine hominis et delectamento somni conveniente
In the time of ten months I was compacted in blood, of the seed of man, and the pleasure of sleep concurring.
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| 3 |
et ego natus accepi communem aerem et in similiter factam decidi terram primam vocem similem omnibus emisi plorans
And being born, I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, that is made alike, and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do.
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| 4 |
in involumentis nutritus sum et curis magnis
I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and with great cares.
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| 5 |
nemo enim ex regibus aliud habuit nativitatis initium
For none of the kings had any other beginning of birth.
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| 6 |
unus ergo introitus est omnibus ad vitam et similis exitus
For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out.
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| 7 |
propter hoc optavi et datus est mihi sensus et invocavi et venit in me spiritus sapientiae
Wherefore I wished, and understanding was given me: and I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me:
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| 8 |
et praeposui illam regnis et sedibus et divitias nihil esse duxi in conparatione illius
And I preferred her before kingdoms and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her.
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| 9 |
nec conparavi illi lapidem pretiosum quoniam omne aurum in conparatione illius harena est exigua et tamquam lutum aestimabitur argentum in conspectu illius
Neither did I compare unto her any precious stone: for all gold, in comparison of her, is as a little sand; and silver, in respect to her, shall be counted as clay.
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| 10 |
super salutem et speciem dilexi illam et proposui pro luce habere illam quoniam inextinguibile est lumen illius
I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for her light cannot be put out.
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| 11 |
venerunt autem mihi omnia bona pariter cum illa et innumerabilis honestas per manus illius
Now all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable riches through her hands,
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| 12 |
et laetatus sum in omnibus quoniam antecedebat ista sapientia et ignorabam quoniam horum omnium mater est
And I rejoiced in all these: for this wisdom went before me, and I knew not that she was the mother of them all.
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| 13 |
quam sine fictione didici et sine invidia communico et honestatem illius non abscondo
Which I have learned without guile, and communicate without envy, and her riches I hide not.
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| 14 |
infinitus enim thesaurus est hominibus quod qui usi sunt participes facti sunt amicitiae Dei propter disciplinae dona commendati
For she is an infinite treasure to men: which they that use, become the friends of God, being commended for the gifts of discipline.
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| 15 |
mihi autem det Deus dicere ex sententia et praesumere digna horum quae dantur quoniam ipse et sapientiae dux est et sapientium emendator
And God hath given to me to speak as I would, and to conceive thoughts worthy of those things that are given me: because he is the guide of wisdom, and the director of the wise:
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| 16 |
in manu enim illius et nos et sermones nostri et omnis sapientia et operum scientiae disciplina
For in his hand are both we, and our words, and all wisdom, and the knowledge and skill of works.
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| 17 |
ipse enim mihi dedit horum quae sunt scientiam veram ut sciam dispositionem orbis terrarum et virtutes elementorum
For he hath given me the true knowledge of the things that are: to know the disposition of the whole world, and the virtues of the elements,
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| 18 |
initium et consummationem et medietatem temporum et meditationem omnium morum mutationes et divisiones temporum
The beginning, and ending, and midst of the times, the alterations of their courses, and the changes of seasons,
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| 19 |
anni cursus et stellarum dispositiones
The revolutions of the year, and the dispositions of the stars,
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| 20 |
naturas animalium et iras bestiarum vim ventorum et cogitationes hominum differentias arborum et virtutes radicum
The natures of living creatures, and rage of wild beasts, the force of winds, and reasonings of men, the diversities of plants, and the virtues of roots,
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| 21 |
et quaecumque sunt absconsa et inprovisa didici omnium enim artifex docuit me sapientia
And all such things as are hid, and not foreseen, I have learned: for wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me.
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| 22 |
est enim in illa spiritus intellectus sanctus unicus multiplex subtilis mobilis dissertus incoinquinatus certus suavis amans bonum acutus qui nihil vetat benefacere
For in her is the spirit of understanding; holy, one, manifold, subtile, eloquent, active, undefiled, sure, sweet, loving that which is good, quick, which nothing hindereth, beneficent,
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| 23 |
humanus stabilis certus securus omnem habens virtutem omnia prospiciens et qui capiat omnes spiritus intellegibiles mundos subtiles
Gentle, kind, steadfast, assured, secure, having all power, overseeing all things, and containing all spirits: intelligible, pure, subtile:
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| 24 |
omnibus enim mobilibus mobilior est sapientia adtingit autem ubique et capit propter suam munditiam
For wisdom is more active than all active things; and reacheth everywhere, by reason of her purity.
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| 25 |
vapor est enim virtutis Dei et emanatio quaedam est claritatis omnipotentis Dei sincera et ideo nihil inquinatum in illa incurrit
For she is a vapour of the power of God, and a certain pure emmanation of the glory of the Almighty God: and therefore no defiled thing cometh into her.
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| 26 |
candor est enim lucis aeternae et speculum sine macula Dei maiestatis et imago bonitatis illius
For she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of God's majesty, and the image of his goodness.
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| 27 |
et cum sit una omnia potest et permanens in se omnia innovat et per nationes in animas sanctas se transfert amicos Dei et prophetas constituit
And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself the same, she reneweth all things, and through nations conveyeth herself into holy souls, she maketh the friends of God and prophets.
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| 28 |
neminem enim diligit Deus nisi eum qui cum sapientia inhabitat
For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom.
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| 29 |
est enim haec speciosior sole et super omnem stellarum dispositionem luci conparata invenitur prior
For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of the stars: being compared with the light, she is found before it.
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| 30 |
illi enim succedit nox sapientiam autem non vincit malitia
For after this cometh night, but no evil can overcome wisdom.
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