DENISON

[column A]

-ces sunt. Exígua dabit, et multa improperábit: et apértio oris illíus inflammátio est. Hódie fœnerátur quis, et cras éxpetit: odíbilis est homo hujúsmodi. Fátuo non erit amícus, et non erit grátia bonis illíus: qui enim edunt panem illíus, falsæ linguæ sunt. Quóties et quanti irridébunt eum! neque enim quod habéndum erat dirécto sensu distríbuit; simíliter et quod non erat habéndum. Lapsus falsæ linguæ quasi qui in paviménto cadens: sic casus malórum festinánter véniet. Homo acháris quasi fábula vana, in ore indisciplinatórum assídua erit. Ex ore fátui reprobábitur parábola: non enim dicit illam in témpore suo. Est qui vetátur peccáre præ inópia, et in réquie sua stimulábitur. Est qui perdet ánimam suam præ confusióne, et ab imprudénti persóna perdet eam: persónæ autem acceptióne perdet se. Est qui præ confusióne promíttit amíco, et lucrátus est eum inimícum gratis. Oppróbrium nequam in hómine mendácium: et in ore indisciplinatórum assídue erit. Pótior fur quam assidúitas viri mendácis: perditiónem autem ambo hæreditábunt. Mores hóminum mendácium sine honóre, et confúsio illórum cum ipsis sine intermissióne. Sápiens in verbis prodúcet seípsum, et homo prudens placébit magnátis. Qui operátur terram suam inaltábit acérvum frugum, et qui operátur justítiam, ipse exaltábitur: qui vero placet magnátis effúgiet iniquitátem. Xénia et dona excaecant óculos júdicum, et quasi mutus, in ore avértit correptiónes eórum. Sapiéntia abscónsa, et thesáurus invísus, quæ utílitas in utrísque? Mélior est qui celat insipiéntiam suam, quam homo qui abscóndit sapiéntiam suam. XXI. Fili, peccásti, non adjícias íterum: sed et de prístinis deprecáre, ut tibi dimittántur. Quasi a fácie cólubri fuge peccáta: et si accésseris ad illa, suscípient te. Dentes leónis dentes ejus, interficiéntes ánimas hóminum. Quasi rhomphaea bis acúta omnis iníquitas: plagæ illíus non est sánitas. Objurgátio et injúriæ annullábunt substántiam, et domus quæ nimis lócuples est annullábitur supérbia: sic substántia supérbi eradicábitur. Deprecátio páuperis ex ore usque ad aures ejus pervéniet, et judícium festináto advéniet illi. Qui odit correptiónem vestígium est peccatóris, et qui timet Deum convertétur ad cor suum. Notus a longe potens lingua audáci, et sensátus scit labi se ab ipso. Qui ædíficat domum suam impéndiis aliénis, quasi qui cólligat lápides suos in híeme. Stupa collécta synagóga peccántium, et consummátio illórum flamma ignis. Via peccatórum complanáta lapídibus: et in fine illórum ínferi, et ténebræ, et pœnæ. Qui custódit justítiam, continébit sensum ejus. Consummátio timóris Dei, sapiéntia et sensus. Non erudiétur qui non est sápiens in bono. Est autem sapiéntia quæ abúndat in malo, et non est sensus ubi est amaritúdo. Sciéntia sapiéntis tamquam

[column B]

inundátio abundábit, et consílium illíus sicut fons vitæ pérmanet. Cor fátui quasi vas confráctum, et omnem sapiéntiam non tenébit. Verbum sápiens quodcúmque audíerit scius, laudábit, et ad se adjíciet: audívit luxuriósus, et displicébit illi, et projíciet illud post dorsum suum. Narrátio fátui quasi sárcina in via: nam in lábiis sensáti inveniétur grátia. Os prudéntis quaeritur in ecclésia, et verba illíus cogitábunt in córdibus suis. Tamquam domus extermináta, sic fátuo sapiéntia: et sciéntia insensáti inenarrabília verba. Cómpedes in pédibus, stulto doctrína: et quasi víncula mánuum super manum dextram. Fátuus in risu exáltat vocem suam: vir autem sápiens vix tácite ridébit. Ornaméntum áureum prudénti doctrína, et quasi brachiále in bráchio dextro. Pes fátui fácilis in domum próximi: et homo péritus confundétur a persóna poténtis. Stultus a fenéstra respíciet in domum: vir autem erudítus foris stabit. Stultítia hóminis auscultáre per óstium: et prudens gravábitur contumélia. Lábia imprudéntium stulta narrábunt; verba autem prudéntium statéra ponderabúntur. In ore fatuórum cor illórum, et in corde sapiéntium os illórum. Dum maledícit ímpius diábolum, maledícit ipse ánimam suam. Susúrro coinquinábit ánimam suam, et in ómnibus odiétur, et qui cum eo mánserit odiósus erit: tácitus et sensátus honorábitur. XXII. In lápide lúteo lapidátus est piger: et omnes loquéntur super aspernatiónem illíus. De stércore boum lapidátus est piger: et omnis qui tetígerit eum excútiet manus. Confúsio patris est de fílio indisciplináto: fília autem in deminoratióne fiet. Fília prudens hæréditas viro suo: nam quæ confúndit, in contuméliam fit genitóris. Patrem et virum confúndit audax, et ab ímpiis non minorábitur: ab utrísque autem inhonorábitur. Música in luctu importúna narrátio: flagélla et doctrína in omni témpore sapiéntia. Qui docet fátuum, quasi qui conglútinat testam. Qui narrat verbum non audiénti, quasi qui éxcitat dormiéntem de gravi somno. Cum dormiénte lóquitur qui enárrat stulto sapiéntiam: et in fine narratiónis dicit: Quis est hic? Supra mórtuum plora, defécit enim lux ejus: et supra fátuum plora, defécit enim sensus. Módicum plora super mórtuum, quóniam requiévit: nequíssimi enim nequíssima vita super mortem fátui. Luctus mórtui septem dies: fátui autem et ímpii omnes dies vitæ illórum. Cum stulto ne multum loquáris, et cum insensáto ne abíeris. Serva te ab illo, ut non moléstiam hábeas, et non coinquináberis peccáto illíus. Deflécte ab illo, et invénies réquiem, et non acediáberis in stultítia illíus. Super plum-

[Ecclesiastes 20:14-22:17]

...for his eyes are sevenfold. 15 He will give a few things, and upbraid much: and the opening of his mouth is the kindling of a fire. 16 To day a man lendeth, and to morrow he asketh it again: such a man as this is hateful. 17 A fool shall have no friend, and there shall be no thanks for his good deeds. 18 For they that eat his bread, are of a false tongue. How often, and how many will laugh him to scorn! 19 For he doth not distribute with right understanding that which was to be had: in like manner also that which was not to be had. 20 The slipping of a false tongue is as one that falleth on the pavement: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily. 21 A man without grace is as a vain fable, it shall be continually in the mouth of the unwise. 22 A parable coming out, of a fool's mouth shall be rejected: for he doth not speak it in due season. 23 There is that is hindered from sinning through want, and in his rest he shall be pricked. 24 There is that will destroy his own soul through shamefacedness, and by occasion of an unwise person he will destroy it: and by respect of person he will destroy himself. 25 There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing. 26 A lie is a foul blot in a man, and yet it will be continually in the mouth of men without discipline. 27 A thief is better than a man that is always lying: but both of them shall inherit destruction. 28 The manners of lying men are without honour: and their confusion is with them without ceasing. 29 A wise man shall advance himself with his words, and a prudent man shall please the great ones. 30 He that tilleth his land shall make a high heap of corn: and he that worketh justice shall be exalted: and he that pleaseth great men shall escape iniquity. 31 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and make them dumb in the mouth, so that they cannot correct. 32 Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is not seen: what profit is there in them both? 33 Better is he that hideth his folly, than the man that hideth his wisdom.

1 My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more: but for thy former sins also pray that they may be forgiven thee. 2 Flee from sins as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest near them, they will take hold of thee. 3 The teeth thereof are the teeth of a lion, killing the souls of men. 4 All iniquity is like a two-edged sword, there is no remedy for the wound thereof. 5 Injuries and wrongs will waste riches: and the house that is very rich shall be brought to nothing by pride: so the substance of the proud shall be rooted out. 6 The prayer out of the mouth of the poor shall reach the ears of God, and judgment shall come for him speedily. 7 He that hateth to be reproved walketh in the trace of a sinner: and he that feareth God will turn to his own heart. 8 He that is mighty by a bold tongue is known afar off, but a wise man knoweth to slip by him. 9 He that buildeth his house at other men's charges, is as he that gathereth himself stones to build in the winter. 10 The congregation of sinners is like tow heaped together, and the end of them is a flame of fire. 11 The way of sinners is made plain with stones, and in their end is hell, and darkness, and pains. 12 He that keepeth justice shall get the understanding thereof. 13 The perfection of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding. 14 He that is not wise in good, will not be taught. 15 But there is a wisdom that aboundeth in evil: and there is no understanding where there is bitterness. 16 The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood, and his counsel continueth like a fountain of life. 17 The heart of a fool is like a broken vessel, and no wisdom at all shall it hold. 18 A man of sense will praise every wise word he shall hear, and will apply it to himself: the luxurious man hath heard it, and it shall displease him, and he will cast it behind his back. 19 The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but in the lips of the wise, grace shall be found. 20 The mouth of the prudent is sought after in the church, and they will think upon his words in their hearts. 21 As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as words without sense. 22 Doctrine to a fool is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand. 23 A fool lifteth up his voice in laughter: but a wise man will scarce laugh low to himself. 24 Learning to the prudent is as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm. 25 The foot of a fool is soon in his neighbour's house: but a man of experience will be abashed at the person of the mighty. 26 A fool will peep through the window into the house: but he that is well taught will stand without. 27 It is the folly of a man to hearken at the door: and a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace. 28 The lips of the unwise will be telling foolish things but the words of the wise shall be weighed in a balance. 29 The heart of fools is in their mouth: and the mouth of wise men is in their heart. 30 While the ungodly curseth the devil, he curseth his own soul. 31 The talebearer shall defile his own soul, and shall be hated by all: and he that shall abide with him shall be hateful: the silent and wise man shall be honoured.

1 The sluggard is pelted with a dirty stone, and all men will speak of his disgrace. 2 The sluggard is pelted with the dung of oxen: and every one that toucheth him will shake his hands. 3 A son ill taught is the confusion of the father: and a foolish daughter shall be to his loss. 4 A wise daughter shall bring an inheritance to her husband: but she that confoundeth, becometh a disgrace to her father. 5 She that is bold shameth both her father and husband, and will not be inferior to the ungodly: and shall be disgraced by them both. 6 A tale out of time is like music in mourning: but the stripes and instruction of wisdom are never out of time. 7 He that teacheth a fool, is like one that glueth a potsherd together. 8 He that telleth a word to him that heareth not, is like one that waketh a man out of a deep sleep. 9 He speaketh with one that is asleep, who uttereth wisdom to a fool: and in the end of the discourse he saith: Who is this? 10 Weep for the dead, for his light hath failed: and weep for the fool, for his understanding faileth. 11 Weep but a little for the dead, for he is at rest. 12 For the wicked life of a wicked fool is worse than death. 13 The mourning for the dead is seven days: but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of their life. 14 Talk not much with a fool, and go not with him that hath no sense. 15 Keep thyself from him, that thou mayst not have trouble, and thou shalt not be defiled with his sin. 16 Turn away from him, and thou shalt find rest, and shalt not be wearied out with his folly. 17 What is heavier...

[column A]

-bum quid gravábitur? et quod illi áliud nomen quam fátuus? Arénam, et salem, et massam ferri facílius est ferre quam hóminem imprudéntem, et fátuum, et ímpium. Loraméntum lígneum colligátum in fundaménto ædifícii non dissolvétur, sic et cor confirmátum in cogitatióne consílii. Cogitátus sensáti in omni témpore metu non depravábitur. Sicut pali in excélsis, et cæménta sine impénsa pósita, contra fáciem venti non permanébunt: sic et cor tímidum in cogitatióne stulti contra ímpetum timóris non resístet. Sicut cor trépidum in cogitatióne fátui omni témpore non métuet, sic et qui in præcéptis Dei pérmanet semper. Pungens óculum dedúcit lácrimas, et qui pungit cor profert sensum. Mittens lápidem in volatília, dejíciet illa: sic et qui conviciátur amíco, dissólvit amicítiam. Ad amícum etsi prodúxeris gládium, non désperes: est enim regréssus. Ad amícum si aperúeris os triste, non tímeas: est enim concordátio: excépto convítio, et impropério, et supérbia, et mystérii revelatióne, et plaga dolósa: in his ómnibus effúgiet amícus. Fidem pósside cum amíco in paupertáte illíus, ut et in bonis illíus laeteris. In témpore tribulatiónis illíus pérmane illi fidélis, ut et in hæreditáte illíus cohaeres sis. Ante ignem camíni vapor et fumus ignis inaltátur: sic et ante sánguinem maledícta, et contuméliæ, et minæ. Amícum salutáre non confúndar, a fácie illíus non me abscóndam: et si mala mihi evénerint per illum, sustinébo. Omnis qui áudiet cavébit se ab eo. Quis dabit ori meo custódiam, et super lábia mea signáculum certum, ut non cadam ab ipsis, et lingua mea perdat me? XXIII. Dómine, pater et dominátor vitæ meæ, ne derelínquas me in consílio eórum, nec sinas me cádere in illis. Quis superpónet in cogitátu meo flagélla, et in corde meo doctrínam sapiéntiæ, ut ignoratiónibus eórum non parcant mihi, et non appáreant delícta eórum, et ne adincréscant ignorántiæ meæ, et multiplicéntur delícta mea, et peccáta mea abúndent, et íncidam in conspéctu adversariórum meórum, et gáudeat super me inimícus meus? Dómine, pater et Deus vitæ meæ, ne derelínquas me in cogitátu illórum. Extolléntiam oculórum meórum ne déderis mihi, et omne desidérium avérte a me. Aufer a me ventris concupiscéntias, et concúbitus concupiscéntiæ ne apprehéndant me, et ánimæ irreverénti et infrúnitæ ne tradas me. Doctrínam oris audíte, fílii: et qui custodíerit illam non périet lábiis, nec scandalizábitur in opéribus nequíssimis. In vanitáte sua apprehénditur peccátor:

[column B]

et supérbus et malédicus scandalizábitur in illis. Juratióni non assuéscat os tuum: multi enim casus in illa. Nominátio vero Dei non sit assídua in ore tuo, et nomínibus sanctórum non admisceáris, quóniam non erit immúnis ab eis. Sicut enim servus interrogátus assídue a livóre non minúitur, sic omnis jurans et nóminans in toto a peccáto non purgábitur. Vir multum jurans implébitur iniquitáte, et non discédet a domo illíus plaga. Et si frustráverit, delíctum illíus super ipsum erit: et si dissimuláverit, delínquit duplíciter: et si in vácuum juráverit, non justificábitur: replébitur enim retributióne domus illíus. Est et ália loquéla contrária morti: non inveniátur in hæreditáte Jacob. Étenim a misericórdibus ómnia hæc auferéntur, et in delíctis non volutabúntur. Indisciplinátæ loquélæ non assuéscat os tuum: est enim in illa verbum peccáti. Meménto patris et matris tuæ: in médio enim magnatórum consístis: ne forte obliviscátur te Deus in conspéctu illórum, et assiduitáte tua infatuátus, impropérium patiáris, et maluísses non nasci, et diem nativitátis tuæ malédicas. Homo assuétus in verbis impropérii in ómnibus diébus suis non erudiétur. Duo génera abúndant in peccátis, et tértium addúcit iram et perditiónem. Ánima cálida quasi ignis ardens, non extinguétur donec áliquid glútiat: et homo nequam in ore carnis suæ non désinet donec incéndat ignem. Hómini fornicário omnis panis dulcis: non fatigábitur transgrédiens usque ad finem. Omnis homo qui transgréditur lectum suum, contémnens in ánimam suam, et dicens: Quis me videt? Ténebræ circúmdant me, et paríetes coopériunt me, et nemo circúmspicit me: quem véreor? delictórum meórum non memorábitur Altíssimus. Et non intélligit quóniam ómnia videt óculus illíus, quóniam expéllit a se timórem Dei hujúsmodi hóminis timor, et óculi hóminum timéntes illum: et non cognóvit quóniam óculi Dómini multo plus lucidióres sunt super solem, circumspiciéntes omnes vias hóminum, et profúndum abýssi, et hóminum corda, intuéntes in abscónditas partes. Dómino enim Deo ántequam crearéntur ómnia sunt ágnita: sic et post perféctum réspicit ómnia. Hic in platéis civitátis vindicábitur, et quasi pullus équinus fugábitur, et ubi non sperávit apprehendétur. Et erit dedécus ómnibus, eo quod non intelléxerit timórem Dómini. Sic et múlier omnis relínquens virum suum, et státuens hæreditátem ex aliéno matrimónio: primo enim in lege Altíssimi incredíbilis fuit: secúndo in virum suum delíquit: tértio in adultério fornicáta est, et ex álio viro fílios státuit sibi. Hæc in ecclésiam adducétur, et in fílios ejus respiciétur: non tradent fílii ejus radíces, et rami ejus non dabunt fructum: derelínquet in maledíctum memóriam ejus, et dedécus illíus non delébitur. Et agnóscent qui derelícti

[Ecclesiastes 22:17-23:37]

...than lead? and what other name hath he but fool? 18 Sand and salt, and a mass of iron is easier to bear, than a man without sense, that is both foolish and wicked. 19 A frame of wood bound together in the foundation of a building, shall not be loosed: so neither shall the heart that is established by advised counsel. 20 The thought of him that is wise at all times, shall not be depraved by fear. 21 As pales set in high places, and plasterings made without cost, will not stand against the face of the wind: 22 So also a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool shall not resist against the violence of fear. 23 As a fearful heart in the thought of a fool at all times will not fear, so neither shall he that continueth always in the commandments of God. 24 He that pricketh the eye, bringeth out tears: and he that pricketh the heart, bringeth forth resentment. 25 He that flingeth a stone at birds, shall drive them away: so he that upbraideth his friend, breaketh friendship. 26 Although thou hast drawn a sword at a friend, despair not: for there may be a returning. To a friend, 27 If thou hast opened a sad mouth, fear not, for there may be a reconciliation: except upbraiding, and reproach, and pride, and disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound: for in all these cases a friend will flee away. 28 Keep fidelity with a friend in his poverty, that in his prosperity also thou mayst rejoice. 29 In the time of his trouble continue faithful to him, that thou mayst also be heir with him in his inheritance. 30 As the vapour of a chimney, and the smoke of the fire goeth up before the fire: so also injurious words, and reproaches, and threats, before blood. 31 I will not be ashamed to salute a friend, neither will I hide myself from his face: and if any evil happen to me by him, I will bear it. 32 But every one that shall hear it, will beware of him. 33 Who will set a guard before my mouth, and a sure seal upon my lips, that I fall not by them, and that my tongue destroy me not?

1 O Lord, father, and sovereign ruler of my life, leave me not to their counsel: nor suffer me to fall by them. 2 Who will set scourges over my thoughts, and the discipline of wisdom over my heart, that they spare me not in their ignorances, and that their sins may not appear: 3 Lest my ignorances increase, and my offences be multiplied, and my sins abound, and I fall before my adversaries, and my enemy rejoice over me? 4 O Lord, father, and God of my life, leave me not to their devices. 5 Give me not haughtiness of my eyes, and turn away from me all coveting. 6 Take from me the greediness of the belly, and let not the lusts of the flesh take hold of me, and give me not over to a shameless and foolish mind. 7 Hear, O ye children, the discipline of the mouth: and he that will keep it shall not perish by his lips, nor be brought to fall into most wicked works. 8 A sinner is caught in his own vanity, and the proud and the evil speakers shall fall thereby. 9 Let not thy mouth be accustomed to swearing: for in it there are many falls. 10 And let not the naming of God be usual in thy mouth, and meddle not with the names of saints, for thou shalt not escape free from them. 11 For as a slave daily put to the question, is never without a blue mark: so every one that sweareth, and nameth, shall not be wholly pure from sin. 12 A man that sweareth much, shall be filled with iniquity, and a scourge shall not depart from his house. 13 And if he make it void, his sin shall be upon him: and if he dissemble it, he offendeth double: 14 And if he swear in vain, he shall not be justified: for his house shall be filled with his punishment. 15 There is also another speech opposite to death, let it not be found in the inheritance of Jacob. 16 For from the merciful all these things shall be taken away, and they shall not wallow in sins. 17 Let not thy mouth be accustomed to indiscreet speech: for therein is the word of sin. 18 Remember thy father and thy mother, for thou sittest is the midst of great men: 19 Lest God forget thee in their sight, and thou, by thy daily custom, be infatuated and suffer reproach: and wish that thou hadst not been born, and curse the day of thy nativity. 20 The man that is accustomed to opprobrious words, will never be corrected all the days of his life. 21 Two sorts of men multiply sins, and the third bringeth wrath and destruction. 22 A hot soul is a burning fire, it will never be quenched, till it devour some thing. 23 And a man that is wicked in the mouth of his flesh, will not leave off till he hath kindled a fire. 24 To a man that is a fornicator all bread is sweet, he will not be weary of sinning unto the end. 25 Every man that passeth beyond his own bed, despising his own soul, and saying: Who seeth me? 26 Darkness compasseth me about, and the walls cover me, and no man seeth me: whom do I fear? the most High will not remember my sins. 27 And he understandeth not that his eye seeth all things, for such a man's fear driveth from him the fear of God, and the eyes of men fearing him: 28 And he knoweth not that the eyes of the Lord are far brighter than the sun, beholding round about all the ways of men, and the bottom of the deep, and looking into the hearts of men, into the most hidden parts. 29 For all things were known to the Lord God, before they were created: so also after they were perfected he beholdeth all things. 30 This man shall be punished in the streets of the city, and he shall be chased as a colt: and where he suspected not, he shall be taken. 31 And he shall be in disgrace with all men, because he understood not the fear of the Lord. 32 So every woman also that leaveth her husband, and bringeth in an heir by another: 33 For first she hath been unfaithful to the law of the most High: and secondly, she hath offended against her husband: thirdly, she hath fornicated in adultery, and hath gotten her children of another man. 34 This woman shall be brought into the assembly, and inquisition shall be made of her children. 35 Her children shall not take root, and her branches shall bring forth no fruit. 36 She shall leave her memory to be cursed, and her infamy shall not be blotted out. 37 And they that remain shall know...