1:1 Diligite justitiam, qui judicatis terram. Sentite de Domino in bonitate, et in simplicitate cordis quærite illum :

1:1 Love justice, you that are the judges of the earth. Think of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in simplicity of heart:

1:2 quoniam invenitur ab his qui non tentant illum, apparet autem eis qui fidem habent in illum.

1:2 For he is found by them that tempt him not: and he sheweth himself to them that have faith in him.

1:3 Perversæ enim cogitationes separant a Deo ; probata autem virtus corripit insipientes.

1:3 For perverse thoughts separate from God: and his power, when it is tried, reproveth the unwise:

1:4 Quoniam in malevolam animam non introibit sapientia, nec habitabit in corpore subdito peccatis.

1:4 For wisdom will not enter into a malicious soul, nor dwell in a body subject to sins.

1:5 Spiritus enim sanctus disciplinæ effugiet fictum, et auferet se a cogitationibus quæ sunt sine intellectu, et corripietur a superveniente iniquitate.

1:5 For the Holy Spirit of discipline will flee from the deceitful, and will withdraw himself from thoughts that are without understanding, and he shall not abide when iniquity cometh in.

1:6 Benignus est enim spiritus sapientiæ, et non liberabit maledicum a labiis suis : quoniam renum illius testis est Deus, et cordis illius scrutator est verus, et linguæ ejus auditor.

1:6 For the spirit of wisdom is benevolent, and will not acquit the evil speaker from his lips: for God is witness of his reins, and he is a true searcher of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue.

1:7 Quoniam spiritus Domini replevit orbem terrarum, et hoc quod continet omnia, scientiam habet vocis.

1:7 For the Spirit of the Lord hath filled the whole world: and that which containeth all things, hath knowledge of the voice.

1:8 Propter hoc qui loquitur iniqua non potest latere, nec præteriet illum corripiens judicium.

1:8 Therefore he that speaketh unjust things, cannot be hid, neither shall the chastising judgment pass him by.

1:9 In cogitationibus enim impii interrogatio erit ; sermonum autem illius auditio ad Deum veniet, ad correptionem iniquitatum illius.

1:9 For inquisition shall be made into the thoughts of the ungodly, and the hearing of his words shall come to God, to the chastising of his iniquities.

1:10 Quoniam auris zeli audit omnia, et tumultus murmurationum non abscondetur.

1:10 For the ear of jealousy heareth all things, and the tumult of murmuring shall not be hid.

1:11 Custodite ergo vos a murmuratione quæ nihil prodest, et a detractione parcite linguæ : quoniam sermo obscurus in vacuum non ibit, os autem quod mentitur occidit animam.

1:11 Keep yourselves, therefore, from murmuring, which profiteth nothing, and refrain your tongue from detraction, for an obscure speech shall not go for nought: and the mouth that belieth, killeth the soul.

1:12 Nolite zelare mortem in errore vitæ vestræ, neque acquiratis perditionem in operibus manuum vestrarum.

1:12 Seek not death in the error of your life, neither procure ye destruction by the works of your hands.

1:13 Quoniam Deus mortem non fecit, nec lætatur in perditione vivorum.

1:13 For God made not death, neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living.

1:14 Creavit enim ut essent omnia, et sanabiles fecit nationes orbis terrarum : et non est in illis medicamentum exterminii, nec inferorum regnum in terra.

1:14 For he created all things that they might be: and he made the nations of the earth for health: and there is no poison of destruction in them, nor kingdom of hell upon the earth.

1:15 Justitia enim perpetua est, et immortalis.

1:15 For justice is perpetual and immortal.

1:16 Impii autem manibus et verbis accersierunt illam, et æstimantes illam amicam, defluxerunt ; et sponsiones posuerunt ad illam, quoniam digni sunt qui sint ex parte illius.

1:16 But the wicked with works and words have called it to them: and esteeming it a friend, have fallen away and have made a covenant with it: because they are worthy to be of the part thereof.