18:1 Qui vivet in æternum creavit omnia simul. Deus solus justificabitur, et manet invictus rex in æternum.

18:1 He that liveth for ever created all things together. God only shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king for ever.

18:2 Quis sufficit enarrare opera illius ?

18:2 Who is able to declare his works?

18:3 quis enim investigabit magnalia ejus ?

18:3 For who shall search out his glorious acts?

18:4 virtutem autem magnitudinis ejus quis enuntiabit ? aut quis adjiciet enarrare misericordiam ejus ?

18:4 And who shall show forth the power of his majesty? or who shall be able to declare his mercy?

18:5 Non est minuere neque adjicere, nec est invenire magnalia Dei.

18:5 Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to find out the glorious works of God.

18:6 Cum consummaverit homo, tunc incipiet : et cum quieverit, aporiabitur.

18:6 When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth off, he shall be at a loss.

18:7 Quid est homo ? et quæ est gratia illius ? et quid bonum aut quid nequam illius ?

18:7 What is man, and what is his grace? and what is his good, or what is his evil?

18:8 Numerus dierum hominum, ut multum centum anni, quasi gutta aquæ maris deputati sunt : et sicut calculus arenæ, sic exigui anni in die ævi.

18:8 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.

18:9 Propter hoc patiens est Deus in illis, et effundit super eos misericordiam suam.

18:9 Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.

18:10 Vidit præsumptionem cordis eorum, quoniam mala est : et cognovit subversionem illorum, quoniam nequam est.

18:10 He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is wicked, and hath known their end that it is evil.

18:11 Ideo adimplevit propitiationem suam in illis, et ostendit eis viam æquitatis.

18:11 Therefore hath he filled up his mercy in their favour, and hath shewn them the way of justice.

18:12 Miseratio hominis circa proximum suum : misericordia autem Dei super omnem carnem.

18:12 The compassion of man is toward his neighbour: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh.

18:13 Qui misericordiam habet, docet et erudit quasi pastor gregem suum.

18:13 He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his flock.

18:14 Miseretur excipientis doctrinam miserationis, et qui festinat in judiciis ejus.

18:14 He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and that maketh haste in his judgments.

18:15 Fili, in bonis non des querelam, et in omni dato non des tristitiam verbi mali.

18:15 My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou givest any thing, add not grief by an evil word.

18:16 Nonne ardorem refrigerabit ros ? sic et verbum melius quam datum.

18:16 Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so also the good word is better than the gift.

18:17 Nonne ecce verbum super datum bonum ? sed utraque cum homine justificato.

18:17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a justified man.

18:18 Stultus acriter improperabit : et datus indisciplinati tabescere facit oculos.

18:18 A fool will upbraid bitterly: and a gift of one ill taught consumeth the eyes.

18:19 Ante judicium para justitiam tibi, et antequam loquaris, disce.

18:19 Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou speak.

18:20 Ante languorem adhibe medicinam : et ante judicium interroga teipsum, et in conspectu Dei invenies propitiationem.

18:20 Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God.

18:21 Ante languorem humilia te, et in tempore infirmitatis ostende conversationem tuam.

18:21 Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness shew thy conversation.

18:22 Non impediaris orare semper, et ne verearis usque ad mortem justificari, quoniam merces Dei manet in æternum.

18:22 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.

18:23 Ante orationem præpara animam tuam, et noli esse quasi homo qui tentat Deum.

18:23 Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God.

18:24 Memento iræ in die consummationis, et tempus retributionis in conversatione faciei.

18:24 Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face.

18:25 Memento paupertatis in tempore abundantiæ, et necessitatum paupertatis in die divitiarum.

18:25 Remember poverty in the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches.

18:26 A mane usque ad vesperam immutabitur tempus, et hæc omnia citata in oculis Dei.

18:26 From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.

18:27 Homo sapiens in omnibus metuet, et in diebus delictorum attendet ab inertia.

18:27 A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the days of sins will beware of sloth.

18:28 Omnis astutus agnoscit sapientiam, et invenienti eam dabit confessionem.

18:28 Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise to him that findeth her.

18:29 Sensati in verbis et ipsi sapienter egerunt, et intellexerunt veritatem et justitiam, et impluerunt proverbia et judicia.

18:29 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.

18:30 Post concupiscentias tuas non eas, et a voluntate tua avertere.

18:30 Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from thy own will.

18:31 Si præstes animæ tuæ concupiscentias ejus, faciat te in gaudium inimicis tuis.

18:31 If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies.

18:32 Ne oblecteris in turbis nec in modicis : assidua enim est commissio illorum.

18:32 Take no pleasure in riotous assemblies, be they ever so small: for their concertation is continual.

18:33 Ne fueris mediocris in contentione ex fœnore, et est tibi nihil in sacculo : eris enim invidus vitæ tuæ.

18:33 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.