God's works are wonderful: we must serve him, and not our lusts.

 1 He that liveth for ever created all things together. God only shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king for ever.
Qui vivet in aeternum creavit omnia simul. Deus solus justificabitur, et manet invictus rex in aeternum.

 2 Who is able to declare his works?
Quis sufficit enarrare opera illius?

 3 For who shall search out his glorious acts?
quis enim investigabit magnalia ejus?

 4 And who shall shew forth the power of his majesty? or who shall be able to declare his mercy?
virtutem autem magnitudinis ejus quis enuntiabit? aut quis adjiciet enarrare misericordiam ejus?

 5 Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to find out the glorious works of God:
Non est minuere neque adjicere, nec est invenire magnalia Dei.

 6 When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth off, he shall be at a loss.
Cum consummaverit homo, tunc incipiet : et cum quieverit, aporiabitur.

 7 What is man, and what is his grace? and what is his good, or what is his evil?
Quid est homo? et quae est gratia illius? et quid bonum aut quid nequam illius?

 8 The number of the days of men at the most are a hundred years: as a drop of water of the sea are they esteemed: and as a pebble of the sand, so are a few years compared to eternity.
Numerus dierum hominum, ut multum centum anni, quasi gutta aquae maris deputati sunt : et sicut calculus arenae, sic exigui anni in die aevi.

 9 Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.
Propter hoc patiens est Deus in illis, et effundit super eos misericordiam suam.

 10 He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is wicked, and hath known their end that it is evil.
Vidit praesumptionem cordis eorum, quoniam mala est : et cognovit subversionem illorum, quoniam nequam est.

 11 Therefore hath he filled up his mercy in their favour, and hath shewn them the way of justice.
Ideo adimplevit propitiationem suam in illis, et ostendit eis viam aequitatis.

 12 The compassion of man is toward his neighbour: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh.
Miseratio hominis circa proximum suum : misericordia autem Dei super omnem carnem.

 13 He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his flock.
Qui misericordiam habet, docet et erudit quasi pastor gregem suum.

 14 He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and that maketh haste in his judgments.
Miseretur excipientis doctrinam miserationis, et qui festinat in judiciis ejus.

 15 My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou givest any thing, add not grief by an evil word.
Fili, in bonis non des querelam, et in omni dato non des tristitiam verbi mali.

 16 Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so also the good word is better than the gift.
Nonne ardorem refrigerabit ros? sic et verbum melius quam datum.

 17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a justified man.
Nonne ecce verbum super datum bonum? sed utraque cum homine justificato.

 18 A fool will upbraid bitterly: and a gift of one ill taught consumeth the eyes.
Stultus acriter improperabit : et datus indisciplinati tabescere facit oculos.

 19 Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou speak.
Ante judicium para justitiam tibi, et antequam loquaris, disce.

 20 Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God.
Ante languorem adhibe medicinam : et ante judicium interroga teipsum, et in conspectu Dei invenies propitiationem.

 21 Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness shew thy conversation.
Ante languorem humilia te, et in tempore infirmitatis ostende conversationem tuam.

 22 Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth for ever.
Non impediaris orare semper, et ne verearis usque ad mortem justificari, quoniam merces Dei manet in aeternum.

 23 Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God.
Ante orationem praepara animam tuam, et noli esse quasi homo qui tentat Deum.

 24 Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face.
Memento irae in die consummationis, et tempus retributionis in conversatione faciei.

 25 Remember poverty in the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches.
Memento paupertatis in tempore abundantiae, et necessitatum paupertatis in die divitiarum.

 26 From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.
A mane usque ad vesperam immutabitur tempus, et haec omnia citata in oculis Dei.

 27 A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the days of sins will beware of sloth.
Homo sapiens in omnibus metuet, et in diebus delictorum attendet ab inertia.

 28 Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise to him that findeth her.
Omnis astutus agnoscit sapientiam, et invenienti eam dabit confessionem.

 29 They that were of good understanding in words, have also done wisely themselves: and have understood truth and justice, and have poured forth proverbs and judgments.
Sensati in verbis et ipsi sapienter egerunt, et intellexerunt veritatem et justitiam, et impleverunt proverbia et judicia.

 30 Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from thy own will.
Post concupiscentias tuas non eas, et a voluntate tua avertere.

 31 If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies.
Si praestes animae tuae concupiscentias ejus, faciat te in gaudium inimicis tuis.

 32 Take no pleasure in riotous assemblies, be they ever so small: for their concertation is continual.
Ne oblecteris in turbis nec in modicis : assidua enim est commissio illorum.

 33 Make not thyself poor by borrowing to contribute to feasts when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt be an enemy to thy own life.
Ne fueris mediocris in contentione ex foenore, et est tibi nihil in sacculo : eris enim invidus vitae tuae.