प्रवक्ता ग्रन्थ 18

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

2Who is able to declare his works?

3For who shall search out his glorious acts?

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

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

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

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

8The 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.

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

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

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

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

13He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his hock.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

22Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth for ever.

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

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

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

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

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

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

29They 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.

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

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

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

33Make 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.

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

2Quis sufficit enarrare opera illius?

3quis enim investigabit magnalia ejus?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29Sensati in verbis et ipsi sapienter egerunt, et intellexerunt veritatem et justitiam, et impleverunt proverbia et judicia.]

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

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

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

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

1The One who dwells in eternity created all things together. God alone will be justified, and he remains an invincible King for eternity.

2Who is able to declare his works?

3For who can examine his greatness?

4And who will announce the power of his magnitude? Or who would be able to describe his mercy?

5There is no diminishing, and no increasing, and there is no discovering, the greatness of God.

6When man has reached the end, then he will begin. And when he ceases, he will be in need.

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

8The number of the days of men are as many as one hundred years. Like a drop of water in the ocean, so they are considered to be. And like a grain of sand on the shore, so do these few years compare to the days of all time.

9For this reason, God is patient with them, and he pours forth his mercy upon them.

10He has seen that the presumption of their heart is evil, and he knows that their rebelliousness is wicked.

11Therefore, he has bestowed his forgiveness on them, and he has revealed to them the way of equity.

12The compassion of man is toward those closest to him. But the mercy of God is upon all flesh.

13He is merciful, and he teaches and corrects, like a shepherd with his flock.

14He takes pity on those who accept the doctrine of compassion, and he applies his judgments promptly.

15Son, in your good works, you should not complain, and in giving anything, you should not cause grief with evil words.

16Is heat not refreshed by the dew? So also is a good word better than a gift.

17Behold, is a word not greater than a gift? But both are with a justified man.

18The foolish place blame sharply. And a gift from the undisciplined causes the eyes to fail.

19Before you judge, put justice in order within yourself, and before you speak, learn.

20Before you become sick, obtain medicine. And before you judge, examine yourself. And then you will find forgiveness in the sight of God.

21Before you become weak, humble yourself; and in a time of infirmity, show your way of life.

22Let nothing impede you from praying always. And then you will not dread to be justified, even unto death. For the reward of God dwells in eternity.

23Before you pray, prepare your soul. And do not choose to be like a man who tempts God.

24Remember the wrath that will be on the day of consummation, and remember the time of retribution, when he will turn away his face.

25Remember poverty in a time of abundance, and remember the deficiency of poverty in a day of riches.

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

27A wise man will be cautious in all things, and during a time of many offenses, he will be attentive against inaction.

28Anyone who is astute recognizes wisdom, and he will acknowledge anyone who finds it.

29Those who show understanding with words also have acted wisely themselves, and they have understood truth and justice, and they have fulfilled proverbs and judgments.

30You should not go after your desires; instead, turn away from your own will.

31If you offer your desires to your soul, this will cause you to become a joy to your enemies.

32Take no delight in disorderly gatherings, whether large or small. For their commission of offenses is unceasing.

33You should not be reduced by the contention of borrowing, even if there is nothing in your purse. For you would be contending against your own life.