Proverbiorum 8
1 Numquid non sapientia clamitat, et prudentia dat vocem suam?
Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice?
2 In summis, excelsisque verticibus supra viam, in mediis semitis stans,
On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand.
3 iuxta portas civitatis in ipsis foribus loquitur, dicens:
Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out:
4 O viri, ad vos clamito, et vox mea ad filios hominum.
“To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men.
5 Intelligite parvuli astutiam, et insipientes animadvertite.
O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.
6 Audite, quoniam de rebus magnis locutura sum: et aperientur labia mea, ut recta prædicent.
Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.
7 Veritatem meditabitur guttur meum, et labia mea detestabuntur impium.
For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips.
8 Iusti sunt omnes sermones mei, non est in eis pravum quid, neque perversum.
All the words of my mouth are righteous; none are crooked or perverse.
9 recti sunt intelligentibus, et æqui invenientibus scientiam.
They are all plain to the discerning, and upright to those who find knowledge.
10 Accipite disciplinam meam, et non pecuniam: doctrinam magis, quam aurum eligite.
Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
11 Melior est enim sapientia cunctis pretiosissimis: et omne desiderabile ei non potest comparari.
For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.
12 Ego sapientia habito in consilio, et eruditis intersum cogitationibus.
I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
13 Timor Domini odit malum: arrogantiam, et superbiam, et viam pravam, et os bilingue detestor.
To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.
14 Meum est consilium, et æquitas, mea est prudentia, mea est fortitudo.
Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength.
15 Per me reges regnant, et legum conditores iusta decernunt:
By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws;
16 Per me principes imperant, et potentes decernunt iustitiam.
By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.
17 Ego diligentes me diligo: et qui mane vigilant ad me, invenient me.
I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.
18 Mecum sunt divitiæ, et gloria, opes superbæ, et iustitia.
With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 Melior est enim fructus meus auro, et lapide pretioso, et genimina me argento electo.
My fruit is better than gold, pure gold, and my harvest surpasses choice silver.
20 In viis iustitiæ ambulo, in medio semitarum iudicii,
I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
21 ut ditem diligentes me, et thesauros eorum repleam.
bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
22 Dominus possedit me in initio viarum suarum, antequam quidquam faceret a principio.
The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old.
23 Ab æterno ordinata sum, et ex antiquis antequam terra fieret.
From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began.
24 Nondum erant abyssi, et ego iam concepta eram: necdum fontes aquarum eruperant:
When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when no springs were overflowing with water.
25 necdum montes gravi mole constiterant: ante colles ego parturiebar:
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 adhuc terram non fecerat, et flumina, et cardines orbis terræ.
before He made the land or fields, or any of the dust of the earth.
27 Quando præparabat cælos, aderam: quando certa lege, et gyro vallabat abyssos:
I was there when He established the heavens, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,
28 quando æthera firmabat sursum, et librabat fontes aquarum:
when He established the clouds above, when the fountains of the deep gushed forth,
29 quando circumdabat mari terminum suum, et legem ponebat aquis, ne transirent fines suos: quando appendebat fundamenta terræ:
when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, 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 a skilled craftsman at His side, and His delight day by day, rejoicing always in His presence.
31 ludens in orbe terrarum: et deliciæ meæ esse, cum filiis hominum.
I was rejoicing in His whole world, delighting together in 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 abiicere eam.
Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore 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 listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.
35 Qui me invenerit, inveniet vitam, et hauriet salutem a Domino:
For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.
36 qui autem in me peccaverit, lædet animam suam. Omnes, qui me oderunt, diligunt mortem.
But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
