1 occupatio magna creata est omnibus hominibus
et iugum grave super filios Adam
a die exitus de ventre matris eorum
usque in diem sepulturae in matrem omnium
2 cogitationes eorum et timores cordis
adinventio expectationis et dies finitionis
3 residentes super sedem gloriosam
usque ad humiliatum in terra et cinere
4 ab eo qui utitur hyacintho et portat coronam
usque ad eum qui operitur lino crudo
furor zelus tumultus fluctuatio et timor mortis
iracundia perseverans et contentio
5 et in tempore refectionis in cubile
somnus noctis inmutat scientiam eius
6 modicum tamquam nihil in requie
et ab eo in somnis quasi in die respectus
7 conturbatus est in visu cordis sui
tamquam qui evaserit in die belli
in tempore salutis suae exsurrexit
et admirans ad nullum timorem
8 cum omni carne ab homine usque ad pecus
et super peccatores septuplum
9 ad haec mors sanguis contentio et romphea
oppressiones famis et contritio et flagella
10 super iniquos creata sunt haec omnia
et propter illos factus est cataclysmus
11 omnia quae de terra sunt in terram convertentur
et aquae omnes in mare convertentur
12 omne munus et iniquitas delebitur et fides in saeculum stabit
13 substantiae iniustorum sicut fluvius siccabuntur
et sicut tonitruum magnum in pluvia manebunt
14 in aperiendo manus suas laetabitur
sic praevaricatores in consummatione tabescent
15 nepotes impiorum non multiplicabunt ramos
et radices inmundae super cacumen petrae sonant
16 viriditas super omnem aquam
et ad oram fluminis ante omnem faenum
evelletur
17 gratia sicut paradisus in benedictionibus
et misericordia in saeculo permanet
18 vita sibi sufficientis operarii condulcabitur
et in ea invenies thesaurum
19 fili
aedificatio civitatis confirmabit nomen
et super haec mulier inmaculata conputatur
20 vinum et musica laetificant cor
et super utraque dilectio sapientiae
21 tibiae et psalterium suavem faciunt melodiam
et super utraque lingua suavis
22 gratiam et speciem desiderabit oculus tuus
et super hoc viride sationis
23 amicus et sodalis in tempore convenientes
et super utrosque mulier cum viro
24 fratres in adiutorium in tempore tribulationis
et super eos misericordia liberabit
25 aurum et argentum constituet pedem
et super utrumque consilium beneplacitum
26 facultates et virtutes exaltant cor et super haec timor Domini
27 non est in timore Domini minoratio
et non est in eo inquirere adiutorium
28 timor Domini sicut paradisus benedictionis
et super omnem gloriam operuerunt illum
29 fili in tempore vitae tuae ne indigeas
melius est enim mori quam indigere
30 vir respiciens in mensam alienam
non est vita eius in cogitatione victus
alit enim animam suam cibis alienis
31 vir autem disciplinatus et eruditus custodiet se
32 in ore inprudentis condulcabitur inopia
et in ventre eius ignis ardebit
1 Great travail is created for every man, and an heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day that they go out of their mother’s womb, till the day that they return to the mother of all things.
2 Their imagination of things to come, and the day of death, trouble their thoughts, and cause fear of heart;
3 From him that sitteth on a throne of glory, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes;
4 From him that weareth purple and a crown, unto him that is clothed with a linen frock.
5 Wrath, and envy, trouble, and unquietness, fear of death, and anger, and strife, and in the time of rest upon his bed his night sleep, do change his knowledge.
6 A little or nothing is his rest, and afterward he is in his sleep, as in a day of keeping watch, troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he were escaped out of a battle.
7 When all is safe, he awaketh, and marvelleth that the fear was nothing.
8 Such things happen unto all flesh, both man and beast, and that is sevenfold more upon sinners.
9 Death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, calamities, famine, tribulation, and the scourge;
10 These things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood.
11 All things that are of the earth shall turn to the earth again: and that which is of the waters doth return into the sea.
12 All bribery and injustice shall be blotted out: but true dealing shall endure for ever.
13 The goods of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall vanish with noise, like a great thunder in rain.
14 While he openeth his hand he shall rejoice: so shall transgressors come to nought.
15 The children of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches: but are as unclean roots upon a hard rock.
16 The weed growing upon every water and bank of a river shall be pulled up before all grass.
17 Bountifulness is as a most fruitful garden, and mercifulness endureth for ever.
18 To labour, and to be content with that a man hath, is a sweet life: but he that findeth a treasure is above them both.
19 Children and the building of a city continue a man’s name: but a blameless wife is counted above them both.
20 Wine and musick rejoice the heart: but the love of wisdom is above them both.
21 The pipe and the psaltery make sweet melody: but a pleasant tongue is above them both.
22 Thine eye desireth favour and beauty: but more than both corn while it is green.
23 A friend and companion never meet amiss: but above both is a wife with her husband.
24 Brethren and help are against time of trouble: but alms shall deliver more than them both.
25 Gold and silver make the foot stand sure: but counsel is esteemed above them both.
26 Riches and strength lift up the heart: but the fear of the Lord is above them both: there is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek help.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fruitful garden, and covereth him above all glory.
28 My son, lead not a beggar’s life; for better it is to die than to beg.
29 The life of him that dependeth on another man’s table is not to be counted for a life; for he polluteth himself with other men’s meat: but a wise man well nurtured will beware thereof.
30 Begging is sweet in the mouth of the shameless: but in his belly there shall burn a fire.