Weisheit 4

1O how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory: for the memory thereof is immortal: because it is known both with God and with men.

2When it is present, they imitate it: and they desire it when it hath withdrawn itself, and it triumpheth crowned for ever, winning the reward of undefiled conflicts.

3But the multiplied brood of the wicked shall not thrive, and bastard slips shall not take deep root, nor any fast foundation.

4And if they flourish in branches for a time, yet standing not fast, they shall be shaken with the wind, and through the force of winds they shall be rooted out.

5For the branches not being perfect, shall be broken, and their fruits shall be unprofitable, and sour to eat, and fit for nothing.

6For the children that are born of unlawful beds, are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial.

7But the just man, if he be prevented with death, shall be in rest.

8For venerable old age is not that of long time, nor counted by the number of years: but the understanding of a man is grey hairs.

9And a spotless life is old age.

10He pleased God and was beloved, and living among sinners he was translated.

11He was taken away lest wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.

12For the bewitching of vanity obscureth good things, and the wandering of concupiscence overturneth the innocent mind.

13Being made perfect in a short space, he fulfilled a long time:

14For his soul pleased God: therefore he hastened to bring him out of the midst of iniquities: but the people see this, and understand not, nor lay up such things in their hearts:

15That the grace of God, and his mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect to his chosen.

16But the just that is dead, condemneth the wicked that are living, and youth soon ended, the long life of the unjust.

17For they shall see the end of the wise man, and shall not understand what God hath designed for him, and why the Lord hath set him in safety.

18They shall see him, and shall despise him: but the Lord shall laugh them to scorn.

19And they shall fall after this without honour, and be a reproach among the dead for ever: for he shall burst them puffed up and speechless, and shall shake them from the foundations, and they shall be utterly laid waste: they shall be in sorrow, and their memory shall perish.

20They shall come with fear at the thought of their sins, and their iniquities shall stand against them to convict them.

1[O quam pulchra est casta generatio, cum claritate ! immortalis est enim memoria illius, quoniam et apud Deum nota est, et apud homines.

2Cum præsens est, imitantur illam, et desiderant eam cum se eduxerit; et in perpetuum coronata triumphat, incoinquinatorum certaminum præmium vincens.

3Multigena autem impiorum multitudo non erit utilis, et spuria vitulamina non dabunt radices altas, nec stabile firmamentum collocabunt.

4Etsi in ramis in tempore germinaverint, infirmiter posita, a vento commovebuntur, et a nimietate ventorum eradicabuntur.

5Confringentur enim rami inconsummati; et fructus illorum inutiles et acerbi ad manducandum, et ad nihilum apti.

6Ex iniquis enim somnis filii qui nascuntur, testes sunt nequitiæ adversus parentes in interrogatione sua.

7Justus autem si morte præoccupatus fuerit, in refrigerio erit;

8senectus enim venerabilis est non diuturna, neque annorum numero computata: cani autem sunt sensus hominis,

9et ætas senectutis vita immaculata.

10Placens Deo factus est dilectus, et vivens inter peccatores translatus est.

11Raptus est, ne malitia mutaret intellectum ejus, aut ne fictio deciperet animam illius.

12Fascinatio enim nugacitatis obscurat bona, et inconstantia concupiscentiæ transvertit sensum sine malitia.

13Consummatus in brevi, explevit tempora multa;

14placita enim erat Deo anima illius: propter hoc properavit educere illum de medio iniquitatum. Populi autem videntes, et non intelligentes, nec ponentes in præcordiis talia,

15quoniam gratia Dei et misericordia est in sanctos ejus, et respectus in electos illius.

16Condemnat autem justus mortuus vivos impios, et juventus celerius consummata longam vitam injusti.

17Videbunt enim finem sapientis, et non intelligent quid cogitaverit de illo Deus, et quare munierit illum Dominus.

18Videbunt, et contemnent eum; illos autem Dominus irridebit.

19Et erunt post hæc decidentes sine honore, et in contumelia inter mortuos in perpetuum: quoniam disrumpet illos inflatos sine voce, et commovebit illos a fundamentis, et usque ad supremum desolabuntur, et erunt gementes, et memoria illorum peribit.

20Venient in cogitatione peccatorum suorum timidi, et traducent illos ex adverso iniquitates ipsorum.]

1O how beautiful is the chaste fruit of purity! For its remembrance is immortal, because it is observed both with God and with men.

2When it is present, they imitate it, and they desire it when it has withdrawn itself, and it triumphs crowned forever, winning the reward of undefiled conflicts.

3But the great number of the many different kinds of the impious will not be to their advantage, and spurious seedlings will not be given deep roots, nor will they establish any firm foundation.

4And if they spring forth with branches for a time, yet, being set infirmly, they will be shaken by the wind, and, by the superabundance of the winds, they will be eradicated.

5For the incomplete branches will be broken, and their fruits will be useless, and bitter to eat, and fit for nothing.

6For all the sons born from iniquity are witnesses of wickedness against their parents at their interrogation.

7But the just, if death seizes him beforehand, will be refreshed.

8For old age is made venerable, neither by lasting long, nor by counting the number of years; yet understanding is the gray hair of wisdom for men,

9and an immaculate life is a generation of sages.

10Pleasing to God, having been made beloved, and living among sinners, he was transformed.

11He was quickly taken away, for malice could not alter his understanding, nor could deceit beguile his soul.

12For fascination with entertainment obscures good things, and the unfaithfulness of desire subverts the mind without malice.

13Completed in a short time, he fulfilled many times.

14Truly his soul was pleasing to God. Because of this, he hastened to bring him out of the midst of iniquities, but the people see this and do not understand, nor do they place such things in their hearts:

15that the grace and mercy of God is with his holy ones, and he watches over his elect.

16But the just dead will condemn the impious living, and youth hastily completed results in a long unjust life.

17For they will see the end of the wise, and will neither understand, nor imagine, that he is of God, and that therefore the Lord has safeguarded him.

18For they will see and despise him, but the Lord will ridicule them.

19And after this, they will fall without honor and with contempt among the dead forever. Seeing that they are puffed up and speechless, he will shatter them and will shake them from the foundations all the way to the top, to their utter desolation, and they will grieve and their remembrance will perish.

20They will hurry with fear at the understanding of their sins, and their iniquities will bear witness against them.