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 super 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 intellegite 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 praedicent
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 intellegentibus et aequi 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 conparari
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 aequitas mea 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 divitiae et gloria opes superbae et iustitia
With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 melior est fructus meus auro et pretioso lapide et genimina mea argento electo
My fruit is better than gold, pure gold, and my harvest surpasses choice silver.
20 in viis iustitiae 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 initium viarum suarum antequam quicquam faceret a principio
The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old.
23 ab aeterno ordita sum et ex antiquis antequam terra fieret
From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began.
24 necdum 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 terrae
before He made the land or fields, or any of the dust of the earth.
27 quando praeparabat caelos 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 aethera 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 adpendebat fundamenta terrae
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 conponens 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 deliciae meae 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 abicere eam
Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.
34 beatus homo qui audit me qui vigilat ad fores meas cotidie 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 laedet animam suam omnes qui me oderunt diligunt mortem
But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
