Proverbiorum 8
1 [Numquid non sapientia clamitat, et prudentia dat vocem suam?
Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?
2 In summis excelsisque verticibus supra viam, in mediis semitis stans,
On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.
3 juxta portas civitatis, in ipsis foribus loquitur, dicens:
Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:
4 O viri, ad vos clamito, et vox mea ad filios hominum.
“I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
5 Intelligite, parvuli, astutiam, et insipientes, animadvertite.
You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!
6 Audite, quoniam de rebus magnis locutura sum, et aperientur labia mea ut recta prædicent.
Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
7 Veritatem meditabitur guttur meum, et labia mea detestabuntur impium.
For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 Justi sunt omnes sermones mei: non est in eis pravum quid, neque perversum;
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
9 recti sunt intelligentibus, et æqui invenientibus scientiam.
They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.
10 Accipite disciplinam meam, et non pecuniam; doctrinam magis quam aurum eligite:
Receive my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 melior est enim sapientia cunctis pretiosissimis, et omne desiderabile ei non potest comparari.]
For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.
12 [Ego sapientia, habito in consilio, et eruditis intersum cogitationibus.
“I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.
13 Timor Domini odit malum: arrogantiam, et superbiam, et viam pravam, et os bilingue, detestor.
The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
14 Meum est consilium et æquitas; mea est prudentia, mea est fortitudo.
Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.
15 Per me reges regnant, et legum conditores justa decernunt;
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16 per me principes imperant, et potentes decernunt justitiam.
By me princes rule, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.
17 Ego diligentes me diligo, et qui mane vigilant ad me, invenient me.
I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.
18 Mecum sunt divitiæ et gloria, opes superbæ et justitia.
With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
19 Melior est enim fructus meus auro et lapide pretioso, et genimina me argento electo.
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.
20 In viis justitiæ ambulo, in medio semitarum judicii:
I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice,
21 ut ditem diligentes me, et thesauros eorum repleam.]
that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.
22 [Dominus possedit me in initio viarum suarum antequam quidquam faceret a principio.
“Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.
23 Ab æterno ordinata sum, et ex antiquis antequam terra fieret.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.
24 Nondum erant abyssi, et ego jam concepta eram: necdum fontes aquarum eruperant,
When there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 necdum montes gravi mole constiterant: ante colles ego parturiebar.
Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;
26 Adhuc terram non fecerat, et flumina, et cardines orbis terræ.
while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
27 Quando præparabat cælos, aderam; quando certa lege et gyro vallabat abyssos;
When he established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,
28 quando æthera firmabat sursum, et librabat fontes aquarum;
when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,
29 quando circumdabat mari terminum suum, et legem ponebat aquis, ne transirent fines suos; quando appendebat fundamenta terræ:
when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 cum eo eram, cuncta componens. Et delectabar per singulos dies, ludens coram eo omni tempore,
then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,
31 ludens in orbe terrarum; et deliciæ meæ esse cum filiis hominum.
rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.
32 Nunc ergo, filii, audite me: beati qui custodiunt vias meas.
“Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Audite disciplinam, et estote sapientes, et nolite abjicere eam.
Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.
34 Beatus homo qui audit me, et qui vigilat ad fores meas quotidie, et observat ad postes ostii mei.
Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
35 Qui me invenerit, inveniet vitam, et hauriet salutem a Domino.
For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh.
36 Qui autem in me peccaverit, lædet animam suam; omnes qui me oderunt diligunt mortem.]
But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”
