DENISON

[column A]

et nescit quod tempus prætériet, et mors appropínquet, et relínquat ómnia áliis, et moriétur. Sta in testaménto tuo, et in illo collóquere, et in ópere mandatórum tuórum veterásce. Ne mánseris in opéribus peccatórum: confíde autem in Deo, et mane in loco tuo. Fácile est enim in óculis Dei súbito honestáre páuperem. Benedíctio Dei in mercédem justi festínat, et in hora velóci procéssus illíus fructíficat. Ne dicas: Quid est mihi opus? et quæ erunt mihi ex hoc bona? Ne dicas: Suffíciens mihi sum: et quid ex hoc pessimábor? In die bonórum ne immémor sis malórum, et in die malórum ne immémor sis bonórum: quóniam fácile est coram Deo in die óbitus retribúere unicuíque secúndum vias suas. Malítia horæ obliviónem facit luxúriæ magnæ, et in fine hóminis denudátio óperum illíus. Ante mortem ne laudes hóminem quemquam: quóniam in fíliis suis agnóscitur vir. Non omnem hóminem indúcas in domum tuam: multæ enim sunt insídiæ dolósi. Sicut enim erúctant præcórdia fœténtium, et sicut perdix indúcitur in cáveam, et ut cáprea in láqueum: sic et cor superbórum, et sicut prospéctor videns casum próximi sui. Bona enim in mala convértens insidiátur, et in eléctis impónet máculam. A scintílla una augétur ignis, et ab uno dolóso augétur sanguis: homo vero peccátor sánguini insidiátur. Atténde tibi a pestífero, fábricat enim mala, ne indúcat super te subsannatiónem in perpétuum. Admítte ad te alienígenam: et subvértet te in túrbine, et abalienábit te a tuis própriis. XII. Si beneféceris, scito cui féceris, et erit grátia in bonis tuis multa. Bénefac justo, et invénies retributiónem magnam: et si non ab ipso, certe a Dómino. Non est enim ei bene qui assíduus est in malis, et eleemósynas non danti: quóniam et Altíssimus ódio habet peccatóres, et misértus est pœniténtibus. Da misericórdi, et ne suscípias peccatórem: et ímpiis et peccatóribus reddet vindíctam, custódiens eos in diem vindíctæ. Da bono, et non recéperis peccatórem. Bénefac húmili, et non déderis ímpio: próhibe panes illi dari, ne in ipsis poténtior te sit: nam duplícia mala invénies in ómnibus bonis quæcúmque féceris illi, quóniam et Altíssimus ódio habet peccatóres, et ímpiis reddet vindíctam. Non agnoscétur in bonis amícus, et non abscondétur in malis inimícus. In bonis viri, inimíci illíus in tristítia: et in malítia illíus, amícus ágnitus est. Non credas inimíco tuo in ætérnum: sicut enim æraméntum ærúginat nequítia illíus: et si humiliátus vadat curvus, ádjice ánimum tuum, et custódi te ab illo. Non státuas illum penes te, nec sédeat ad déxteram tuam, ne forte convérsus in locum tuum, inquírat cáthedram tuam, et in novíssimo agnósces verba mea, et in sermónibus meis stimúleris. Quis miserébitur incantatóri a serpénte percússo, et ómnibus qui apprópiant béstiis? et sic qui comitátur cum viro iníquo, et obvolútus est in peccátis ejus. Una hora tecum

[column B]

permanébit: si autem declináveris, non supportábit. In lábiis suis indúlcat inimícus, et in corde suo insidiátur ut subvértat te in fóveam. In óculis suis lacrimátur inimícus, et si invénerit tempus, non satiábitur sánguine. Et si incúrrerint tibi mala, invénies eum illic priórem. In óculis suis lacrimátur inimícus, et quasi ádjuvans suffódiet plantas tuas. Caput suum movébit, et plaudet manu, et multa susúrrans commutábit vultum suum. XIII. Qui tetígerit picem inquinábitur ab ea: et qui communicáverit supérbo índuet supérbiam. Pondus super se tollat qui honestióri se commúnicat, et ditióri te ne sócius fúeris. Quid communicábit cacábus ad ollam? quando enim se collíserint, confringétur. Dives injúste egit, et fremet: pauper autem læsus tacébit. Si largítus fúeris, assúmet te: et si non habúeris, derelínquet te. Si habes, convívet tecum, et evacuábit te: et ipse non dolébit super te. Si necessárius illi fúeris, supplantábit te, et subrídens spem dabit, narrans tibi bona, et dicet: Quid opus est tibi? Et confúndet te in cibis suis, donec te exinániat bis et ter: et in novíssimo deridébit te, et póstea videns derelínquet te, et caput suum movébit ad te. Humiliáre Deo, et exspécta manus ejus. Atténde ne sedúctus in stultítiam humilíeris. Noli esse húmilis in sapiéntia tua, ne humiliátus in stultítiam seducáris. Advocátus a potentióre, discéde: ex hoc enim magis te advocábit. Ne impróbus sis, ne impingáris: et ne longe sis ab eo, ne eas in obliviónem. Ne retíneas ex æquo loqui cum illo, nec credas multis verbis illíus: ex multa enim loquéla tentábit te, et subrídens interrogábit te de abscónditis tuis. Ímmitis ánimus illíus conservábit verba tua: et non parcet de malítia, et de vínculis. Cave tibi, et atténde diligénter audítui tuo, quóniam cum subversióne tua ámbulas: áudiens vero illa, quasi in somnis vide, et vigilábis. Omni vita tua dílige Deum, et ínvoca illum in salúte tua. Omne ánimal díligit símile sibi, sic et omnis homo próximum sibi. Omnis caro ad símilem sibi conjungétur, et omnis homo símili sui sociábitur. Si communicábit lupus agno aliquándo, sic peccátor justo. Quæ communicátio sancto hómini ad canem? aut quæ pars díviti ad páuperem? Venátio leónis ónager in erémo: sic et páscua dívitum sunt páuperes. Et sicut abominátio est supérbo humílitas, sic et execrátio dívitis pauper. Dives commótus confirmátur ab amícis suis: húmilis autem cum cecíderit, expellétur et a notis. Díviti decépto multi recuperatóres: locútus est supérbia, et justificavérunt illum. Húmilis decéptus est, ínsuper et argúitur: locútus est sensáte, et non est datus ei locus. Dives locútus est, et omnes tacuérunt, et verbum illíus usque ad nubes perdúcent. Pauper locútus est, et dicunt: Quis est

[Ecclesiasticus 11:20-13:29]

20 And he knoweth not what time shall pass, and that death approacheth, and that he must leave all to others, and shall die. 21 Be steadfast in thy covenant, and be conversant therein, and grow old in the work of thy commandments. 22 Abide not in the works of sinners. But trust in God, and stay in thy place. 23 For it is easy in the eyes of God on a sudden to make the poor man rich. 24 The blessing of God maketh haste to reward the just, and in a swift hour his blessing beareth fruit. 25 Say not: What need I, and what good shall I have by this? 26 Say not: I am sufficient for myself: and what shall I be made worse by this? 27 In the day of good things be not unmindful of evils: and in the day of evils be not unmindful of good things: 28 For it is easy before God in the day of death to reward every one according to his ways. 29 The affliction of an hour maketh one forget great delights, and in the end of a man is the disclosing of his works. 30 Praise not any man before death, for a man is known by his children. 31 Bring not every man into thy house: for many are the snares of the deceitful. 32 For as corrupted bowels send forth stinking breath, and as the partridge is brought into the cage, and as the roe into the snare: so also is the heart of the proud, and as a spy that looketh on the fall of his neighbour. 33 For he lieth in wait and turneth good into evil, and on the elect he will lay a blot. 34 Of one spark cometh a great fire, and of one deceitful man much blood: and a sinful man lieth in wait for blood. 35 Take heed to thyself of a mischievous man, for he worketh evils: lest he bring upon thee reproach for ever. 36 Receive a stranger in, and he shall overthrow thee with a whirlwind, and shall turn thee out of thy own.

1 If thou do good, know to whom thou dost it, and there shall be much thanks for thy good deeds. 2 Do good to the just, and thou shalt find great recompense: and if not of him, assuredly of the Lord. 3 For there is no good for him that is always occupied in evil, and that giveth no alms: for the Highest hateth sinners, and hath mercy on the penitent. 4 Give to the merciful and uphold not the sinner: God will repay vengeance to the ungodly and to sinners, and keep them against the day of vengeance. 5 Give to the good, and receive not a sinner. 6 Do good to the humble, and give not to the ungodly: hold back thy bread, and give it not to him, lest thereby he overmaster thee. 7 For thou shalt receive twice as much evil for all the good thou shalt have done to him: for the Highest also hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance to the ungodly. 8 A friend shall not be known in prosperity, and an enemy shall not be hidden in adversity. 9 In the prosperity of a man, his enemies are grieved: and a friend is known in his adversity. 10 Never trust thy enemy: for as a brass pot his wickedness rusteth: 11 Though he humble himself and go crouching, yet take good heed and beware of him. 12 Set him not by thee, neither let him sit on thy right hand, lest he turn into thy place, and seek to take thy seat: and at the last thou acknowledge my words, and be pricked with my sayings. 13 Who will pity an enchanter struck by a serpent, or any that come near wild beasts? so is it with him that keepeth company with a wicked man, and is involved in his sins. 14 For an hour he will abide with thee: but if thou begin to decline, he will not endure it. 15 An enemy speaketh sweetly with his lips, but in his heart he lieth in wait, to throw thee into a pit. 16 An enemy weepeth with his eyes: but if he find an opportunity he will not be satisfied with blood: 17 And if evils come upon thee, thou shalt find him there first. 18 An enemy hath tears in his eyes, and while he pretendeth to help thee, will undermine thy feet. 19 He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and whisper much, and change his countenance.

1 He that toucheth pitch, shall be defiled with it: and he that hath fellowship with the proud, shall put on pride. 2 He shall take a burden upon him that hath fellowship with one more honourable than himself. And have no fellowship with one that is richer than thyself. 3 What agreement shall the earthen pot have with the kettle? for if they knock one against the other, it shall be broken. 4 The rich man hath done wrong, and yet he will fume: but the poor is wronged and must hold his peace. 5 If thou give, he will make use of thee: and if thou have nothing, he will forsake thee. 6 If thou have any thing, he will live with thee, and will make thee bare, and he will not be sorry for thee. 7 If he have need of thee he will deceive thee, and smiling upon thee will put thee in hope; he will speak thee fair, and will say: What wantest thou? 8 And he will shame thee by his meats, till he have drawn thee dry twice or thrice, and at last he will laugh at thee: and afterward when he seeth thee, he will forsake thee, and shake his head at thee. 9 Humble thyself to God, and wait for his hands. 10 Beware that thou be not deceived into folly, and be humbled. 11 Be not lowly in thy wisdom, lest being humbled thou be deceived into folly. 12 If thou be invited by one that is mightier, withdraw thyself: for so he will invite thee the more. 13 Be not troublesome to him, lest thou be put back: and keep not far from him, lest thou be forgotten. 14 Affect not to speak with him as an equal: and believe not his many words: for by much talk he will sift thee, and smiling will examine thee concerning thy secrets. 15 His cruel mind will lay up thy words: and he will not spare to do thee hurt, and to cast thee into prison. 16 Take heed to thyself, and attend diligently to what thou hearest: for thou walkest in danger of thy ruin. 17 When thou hearest those things, see as it were in sleep, and thou shalt awake. 18 Love God all thy life, and call upon him for thy salvation. 19 Every beast loveth its like: so also every man him that is nearest to himself. 20 All flesh shall consort with the like to itself, and every man shall associate himself to his like. 21 If the wolf shall at any time have fellowship with the lamb, so the sinner with the just. 22 What fellowship hath a holy man with a dog, or what part hath the rich with the poor? 23 The wild ass is the lion's prey in the desert: so also the poor are devoured by the rich. 24 And as humility is an abomination to the proud: so also the rich man abhorreth the poor. 25 When a rich man is shaken, he is kept up by his friends: but when a poor man is fallen down, he is thrust away even by his acquaintance. 26 When a rich man hath been deceived, he hath many helpers: he hath spoken proud things, and they have justified him. 27 The poor man was deceived, and he is rebuked also: he hath spoken wisely, and could have no place. 28 The rich man spoke, and all held their peace, and what he said they extol even to the clouds. 29 The poor man spoke, and they say: Who is this?

[column A]

hic? et si offénderit, subvértent illum. Bona est substántia cui non est peccátum in consciéntia: et nequíssima paupértas in ore ímpii. Cor hóminis immútat fáciem illíus, sive in bona, sive in mala. Vestígium cordis boni et fáciem bonam diffícile invénies, et cum labóre. XIIII. Beátus vir qui non est lapsus verbo ex ore suo, et non est stimulátus in tristítia delícti. Felix qui non hábuit ánimi sui tristítiam, et non excídit a spe sua. Viro cúpido et tenáci sine ratióne est substántia: et hómini lívido ad quid aurum? Qui acérvat ex ánimo suo injúste, áliis cóngregat, et in bonis illíus álius luxuriábitur. Qui sibi nequam est, cui álii bonus erit? et non jucundábitur in bonis suis. Qui sibi ínvidet, nihil est illo néquius: et hæc reddítio est malítiæ illíus. Et si bene fécerit, ignoránter et non volens facit: et in novíssimo maniféstat malítiam suam. Nequam est óculus lívidi: et avértens fáciem suam, et despíciens ánimam suam. Insatiábilis óculus cúpidi in parte iniquitátis: non satiábitur donec consúmat arefáciens ánimam suam. Óculus malus ad mala, et non saturábitur pane, sed índigens et in tristítia erit super mensam suam. Fili, si habes, bénefac tecum, et Deo dignas oblatiónes offer. Memor esto quóniam mors non tardat, et testaméntum inferórum, quia demonstrátum est tibi: testaméntum enim hujus mundi morte moriétur. Ante mortem bénefac amíco tuo, et secúndum vires tuas expórrigens da páuperi. Non defráuderis a die bono, et partícula boni doni non te prætéreat. Nonne áliis relínques dolóres et labóres tuos in divisióne sortis? Da et áccipe, et justífica ánimam tuam. Ante óbitum tuum operáre justítiam, quóniam non est apud ínferos inveníre cibum. Omnis caro sicut fœnum veteráscet, et sicut fólium fructíficans in árbore víridi. Ália generántur, et ália dejiciúntur: sic generátio carnis et sánguinis, ália fínitur, et ália náscitur. Omne opus corruptíbile in fine defíciet, et qui illud operátur ibit cum illo. Et omne opus eléctum justificábitur, et qui operátur illud honorábitur in illo. Beátus vir qui in sapiéntia morábitur, et qui in justítia sua meditábitur, et in sensu cogitábit circumspectiónem Dei: qui excógitat vias illíus in corde suo, et in abscónditis suis intélligens, vadens post illam quasi investigátor, et in viis illíus consístens: qui réspicit per fenéstras illíus, et in jánuis illíus áudiens: qui requiéscit juxta domum illíus, et in pariétibus illíus figens palum, státuet cásulam suam ad manus illíus, et requiéscent in cásula illíus bona per ævum. Státuet fílios suos sub tégmine illíus, et sub ramis ejus morábitur. Protegétur sub tégmine illíus

[column B]

a fervóre, et in glória ejus requiéscet. XV. Qui timet Deum fáciet bona, et qui cóntinens est justítiæ apprehéndet illam: et obviábit illi quasi mater honorificáta, et quasi múlier a virginitáte suscípiet illum. Cibábit illum pane vitæ et intelléctus, et aqua sapiéntiæ salutáris potábit illum: et firmábitur in illo, et non flectétur: et continébit illum, et non confundétur: et exaltábit illum apud próximos suos, et in médio ecclésiæ apériet os ejus, et adimplébit illum spíritu sapiéntiæ et intelléctus, et stola glóriæ véstiet illum. Jucunditátem et exsultatiónem thesaurizábit super illum, et nómine ætérno hæreditábit illum. Hómines stulti non apprehéndent illam, et hómines sensáti obviábunt illi. Hómines stulti non vidébunt eam: longe enim abest a supérbia et dolo. Viri mendáces non erunt illíus mémores: et viri veráces inveniéntur in illa, et succéssum habébunt usque ad inspectiónem Dei. Non est speciósa laus in ore peccatóris, quóniam a Deo profécta est sapiéntia. Sapiéntiæ enim Dei astábit laus, et in ore fidéli abundábit, et Dominátor dabit eam illi. Non díxeris: Per Deum abest: quæ enim odit ne féceris. Non dicas: Ille me implanávit: non enim necessárii sunt ei hómines ímpii. Omne execraméntum erróris odit Dóminus, et non erit amábile timéntibus eum. Deus ab inítio constítuit hóminem, et relíquit illum in manu consílii sui: adjécit mandáta et præcépta sua. Si volúeris mandáta serváre, conservábunt te, et in perpétuum fidem plácitam fácere. Appósuit tibi aquam et ignem, ad quod volúeris pórrige manum tuam. Ante hóminem vita et mors, bonum et malum: quod placúerit ei dábitur illi: quóniam multa sapiéntia Dei, et fortis in poténtia, videns omnes sine intermissióne. Óculi Dómini ad timéntes eum, et ipse agnóscit omnem óperam hóminis. Némini mandávit ímpie ágere, et némini dedit spátium peccándi: non enim concupíscit multitúdinem filiórum infidélium et inutílium. XVI. Ne jucúnderis in fíliis ímpiis, si multiplicéntur: nec oblécteris super ipsos, si non est timor Dei in illis. Non credas vitæ illórum, et ne respéxeris in labóres eórum. Mélior est enim unus timens Deum, quam mille fílii ímpii: et útile est mori sine fíliis, quam relínquere fílios ímpios. Ab uno sensáto inhabitábitur pátria: tribus impiórum deserétur. Multa tália vidit óculis meus, et fortióra horum audívit auris mea. In synagóga peccántium exardébit ignis, et in gente incredíbili exardéscet ira. Non exoravérunt pro peccátis suis antíqui gigántes, qui destrúcti sunt confidéntes suæ virtúti. Et non pepércit peregrinatióni Lot, et execrátus est eos præ supérbia verbi illórum. Non misértus est illis, gentem totam perdens, et extolléntem se in peccátis suis. Et sicut sexcénta míllia péditum, qui congregáti sunt in durítia cordis sui: et si unus fuísset cervicátus, mirum si fuísset immú-

[Ecclesiasticus 13:29-16:11]

...and if he stumble, they will overthrow him. 30 Riches are good to him that hath no sin in his conscience: and poverty is very wicked in the mouth of the ungodly. 31 The heart of a man changeth his countenance, either for good, or for evil. 32 The token of a good heart, and a good countenance thou shalt hardly find, and with labour.

1 Blessed is the man that hath not slipped by a word out of his mouth, and is not pricked with the remorse of sin. 2 Happy is he that hath had no sadness of his mind, and who is not fallen from his hope. 3 Riches are not comely for a covetous man and a niggard, and what should an envious man do with gold? 4 He that gathereth together by wronging his own soul, gathereth for others, and another will squander away his goods in rioting. 5 He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be good? and he shall not take pleasure in his goods. 6 There is none worse than he that envieth himself, and this is the reward of his wickedness: 7 And if he do good, he doth it ignorantly, and unwillingly: and at the last he discovereth his wickedness. 8 The eye of the envious is wicked: and he turneth away his face, and despiseth his own soul. 9 The eye of the covetous man is insatiable in his portion of iniquity: he will not be satisfied till he consume his own soul, drying it up. 10 An evil eye is towards evil things: and he shall not have his fill of bread, but shall be needy and pensive at his own table. 11 My son, if thou have any thing, do good to thyself, and offer to God worthy offerings. 12 Remember that death is not slow, and that the covenant of hell hath been shewn to thee: for the covenant of this world shall surely die. 13 Do good to thy friend before thou die, and according to thy ability, stretching out thy hand give to the poor. 14 Defraud not thyself of the good day, and let not the part of a good gift overpass thee. 15 Shalt thou not leave to others to divide by lot thy sorrows and labours? 16 Give and take, and justify thy soul. 17 Before thy death work justice: for in hell there is no finding food. 18 All flesh shall fade as grass, and as the leaf that springeth out on a green tree. 19 Some grow, and some fall off: so is the generation of flesh and blood, one cometh to an end, and another is born. 20 Every work that is corruptible shall fail in the end: and the worker thereof shall go with it. 21 And every excellent work shall be justified: and the worker thereof shall be honoured therein. 22 Blessed is the man that shall continue in wisdom, and that shall meditate in his justice, and in his mind shall think of the all seeing eye of God. 23 He that considereth her ways in his heart, and hath understanding in her secrets, who goeth after her as one that traceth, and stayeth in her ways: 24 He who looketh in at her windows, and hearkeneth at her door: 25 He that lodgeth near her house, and fastening a pin in her walls shall set up his tent nigh unto her, where good things shall rest in his lodging for ever. 26 He shall set his children under her shelter, and shall lodge under her branches: 27 He shall be protected under her covering from the heat, and shall rest in her glory.

1 He that feareth God, will do good: and he that possesseth justice, shall lay hold on her, 2 And she will meet him as an honourable mother, and will receive him as a wife married of a virgin. 3 With the bread of life and understanding, she shall feed him, and give him the water of wholesome wisdom to drink: and she shall be made strong in him, and he shall not be moved: 4 And she shall hold him fast, and he shall not be confounded: and she shall exalt him among his neighbours. 5 And in the midst of the church she shall open his mouth, and shall fill him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and shall clothe him with a robe of glory. 6 She shall heap upon him a treasure of joy and gladness, and shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name. 7 But foolish men shall not obtain her, and wise men shall meet her, foolish men shall not see her: for she is far from pride and deceit. 8 Lying men shall not be mindful of her: but men that speak truth shall be found with her, and shall advance, even till they come to the sight of God. 9 Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner: 10 For wisdom came forth from God: for praise shall be with the wisdom of God, and shall abound in a faithful mouth, and the sovereign Lord will give praise unto it. 11 Say not: It is through God, that she is not with me: for do not thou the things that he hateth. 12 Say not: He hath caused me to err: for he hath no need of wicked men. 13 The Lord hateth all abomination of error, and they that fear him shall not love it. 14 God made man from the beginning, and left him in the hand of his own counsel. 15 He added his commandments and precepts. 16 If thou wilt keep the commandments and perform acceptable fidelity for ever, they shall preserve thee. 17 He hath set water and fire before thee: stretch forth thy hand to which thou wilt. 18 Before man is life and death, good and evil, that which he shall choose shall be given him: 19 For the wisdom of God is great, and he is strong in power, seeing all men without ceasing. 20 The eyes of the Lord are towards them that fear him, and he knoweth all the work of man. 21 He hath commanded no man to do wickedly, and he hath given no man license to sin: 22 For he desireth not a multitude of faithless and unprofitable children.

1 Rejoice not in ungodly children, if they be multiplied: neither be delighted in them, if the fear of God be not with them. 2 Trust not to their life, and respect not their labours. 3 For better is one that feareth God, than a thousand ungodly children. 4 And it is better to die without children, than to leave ungodly children. 5 By one that is wise a country shall be inhabited, the tribe of the ungodly shall become desolate. 6 Many such things hath my eyes seen, and greater things than these my ear hath heard. 7 In the congregation of sinners a fire shall be kindled, and in an unbelieving nation wrath shall flame out. 8 The ancient giants did not obtain pardon for their sins, who were destroyed trusting to their own strength: 9 And he spared not the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for the pride of their word. 10 He had not pity on them, destroying the whole nation that extolled themselves in their sins. 11 So did he with the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their heart: and if one had been stiffnecked, it is a wonder if he had escaped unpunished...