1 sapientiam omnium antiquorum exquiret
et in prophetiis vacabit
2 narrationem virorum nominatorum conservabit
et in versutias parabolarum simul introibit
3 occulta proverbiorum exquiret
et in absconditis parabolarum conversabitur
4 in medio magnatorum ministrabit
et in conspectu praesidis apparebit
5 in terram alienarum gentium pertransiet
bona enim et mala in hominibus temptavit
6 cor suum tradet ad vigilandum diluculo ad Dominum qui fecit illum
et in conspectu Altissimi deprecabitur
7 aperiet os suum in oratione et pro delictis suis deprecabitur
8 si enim Dominus magnus voluerit
spiritu intellegentiae replebit illum
9 et ipse tamquam imbres mittet eloquia sapientiae suae
et in oratione confitebitur Domino
10 ipse diriget consilium eius et disciplinam
et in absconditis suis consiliabitur
11 ipse palam faciet disciplinam doctrinae suae
et in lege testamenti Domini gloriabitur
12 conlaudabunt multi sapientiam eius
et usque in saeculum non delebitur
13 non recedet memoria eius
et nomen eius requiretur a generatione in generationem
14 sapientiam eius enarrabunt gentes
et laudem eius nuntiabit ecclesia
15 si inmanserit nomen derelinquet mille
et si requieverit proderit illi
16 adhuc consiliabor ut enarrem ut furore enim repletus sum
17 in voce dicit obaudite me divini fructus
et quasi rosa plantata super rivum aquarum
fructificate
18 quasi libanus odorem suavitatis habete
19 florete flores quasi lilium date odorem et frondete in
gratiam
et conlaudate canticum et benedicite Dominum in operibus suis
20 date nomini eius magnificentiam
et confitemini illi in voce labiorum vestrorum
in canticis labiorum et cinyris
et sic dicetis in confessione
21 opera Domini universa bona valde
22 in verbo eius stetit aqua sicut congeries
et in sermone oris eius sicut exceptoria aquarum
23 quoniam in praecepto ipsius placor fit
et non est minoratio in salute illius
24 opera omnis carnis coram illo
et non est quicquam absconditum ab oculis eius
25 a saeculo usque in saeculum respicit
et nihil est mirabile in conspectu eius
26 non est dicere quid est hoc aut quid est illud
omnia enim in tempore suo quaerentur
27 benedictio illius quasi fluvius inundavit
28 et quomodo cataclysmus aridam inebriavit
sic ira ipsius gentes quae non exquisierunt eum hereditabit
29 quomodo convertit aquas et siccata est terra
et viae illius viis illorum directae sunt
sic peccatoribus offensiones in ira eius
30 bona bonis creata sunt ab initio sic nequissimis bona et mala
31 initium necessariae rei vitae hominum
aqua ignis et ferrum lac et panis similagineus
et mel et botrus uvae et oleum et vestimentum
32 haec omnia sanctis in bona
sic et impiis et peccatoribus in mala convertentur
33 sunt spiritus qui ad vindictam creati sunt
et in furore suo confirmaverunt tormenta sua
34 in tempore consummationis effundent virtutem
et furorem eius qui fecit illos confundent
35 ignis grando famis et mors omnia haec ad vindictam creata sunt
36 bestiarum dentes et scorpii et serpentes
et romphea vindicans in exterminium impios
37 in mandatis eius epulabuntur
et super terram in necessitatem praeparabuntur
et in temporibus suis non praeterient verbum
38 propterea ab initio confirmatus et consiliatus sum
et cogitavi et in scripta dimisi
39 omnia opera Domini bona
et omne opus hora sua subministrabit
40 non est dicere hoc illo nequius est
omnia enim in tempore suo conprobabuntur
41 et nunc in omni corde et ore conlaudate
et benedicite nomen Domini
1 But he that giveth his mind to the law of the most High, and is occupied in the meditation thereof, will seek out the wisdom of all the ancient, and be occupied in prophecies.
2 He will keep the sayings of the renowned men: and where subtil parables are, he will be there also.
3 He will seek out the secrets of grave sentences, and be conversant in dark parables.
4 He shall serve among great men, and appear before princes: he will travel through strange countries; for he hath tried the good and the evil among men.
5 He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and will pray before the most High, and will open his mouth in prayer, and make supplication for his sins.
6 When the great Lord will, he shall be filled with the spirit of understanding: he shall pour out wise sentences, and give thanks unto the Lord in his prayer.
7 He shall direct his counsel and knowledge, and in his secrets shall he meditate.
8 He shall shew forth that which he hath learned, and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord.
9 Many shall commend his understanding; and so long as the world endureth, it shall not be blotted out; his memorial shall not depart away, and his name shall live from generation to generation.
10 Nations shall shew forth his wisdom, and the congregation shall declare his praise.
11 If he die, he shall leave a greater name than a thousand: and if he live, he shall increase it.
12 Yet have I more to say, which I have thought upon; for I am filled as the moon at the full.
13 Hearken unto me, ye holy children, and bud forth as a rose growing by the brook of the field:
14 And give ye a sweet savour as frankincense, and flourish as a lily, send forth a smell, and sing a song of praise, bless the Lord in all his works.
15 Magnify his name, and shew forth his praise with the songs of your lips, and with harps, and in praising him ye shall say after this manner:
16 All the works of the Lord are exceeding good, and whatsoever he commandeth shall be accomplished in due season.
17 And none may say, What is this? wherefore is that? for at time convenient they shall all be sought out: at his commandment the waters stood as an heap, and at the words of his mouth the receptacles of waters.
18 At his commandment is done whatsoever pleaseth him; and none can hinder, when he will save.
19 The works of all flesh are before him, and nothing can be hid from his eyes.
20 He seeth from everlasting to everlasting; and there is nothing wonderful before him.
21 A man need not to say, What is this? wherefore is that? for he hath made all things for their uses.
22 His blessing covered the dry land as a river, and watered it as a flood.
23 As he hath turned the waters into saltness: so shall the heathen inherit his wrath.
24 As his ways are plain unto the holy; so are they stumblingblocks unto the wicked.
25 For the good are good things created from the beginning: so evil things for sinners.
26 The principal things for the whole use of man’s life are water, fire, iron, and salt, flour of wheat, honey, milk, and the blood of the grape, and oil, and clothing.
27 All these things are for good to the godly: so to the sinners they are turned into evil.
28 There be spirits that are created for vengeance, which in their fury lay on sore strokes; in the time of destruction they pour out their force, and appease the wrath of him that made them.
29 Fire, and hail, and famine, and death, all these were created for vengeance;
30 Teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions, serpents, and the sword punishing the wicked to destruction.
31 They shall rejoice in his commandment, and they shall be ready upon earth, when need is; and when their time is come, they shall not transgress his word.
32 Therefore from the beginning I was resolved, and thought upon these things, and have left them in writing.
33 All the works of the Lord are good: and he will give every needful thing in due season.
34 So that a man cannot say, This is worse than that: for in time they shall all be well approved.
35 And therefore praise ye the Lord with the whole heart and mouth, and bless the name of the Lord.