Sirach 43 Clementine Vulgate
1 [Altitudinis firmamentum pulchritudo ejus est, species cæli in visione gloriæ.
1 The pride of the heavenly heights is the clear sky, the appearance of heaven, in the spectacle of its glory.
2 Sol in aspectu annuntians in exitu, vas admirabile, opus Excelsi.
2 The sun, when it appears, bringing tidings as it rises, is a marvelous instrument, the work of the Most High.
3 In meridiano exurit terram, et in conspectu ardoris ejus quis poterit sustinere? fornacem custodiens in operibus ardoris:
3 At noon, it dries up the land. Who can stand against its burning heat?
4 tripliciter sol exurens montes, radios igneos exsufflans, et refulgens radiis suis obcæcat oculos.
4 A man tending a furnace is in burning heat, but the sun three times more, burning up the mountains, breathing out fiery vapors, and sending out bright beams, it blinds the eyes.
5 Magnus Dominus qui fecit illum, et in sermonibus ejus festinavit iter.]
5 Great is the Lord who made it. At his word, he hastens on its course.
6 [Et luna in omnibus in tempore suo, ostensio temporis, et signum ævi.
6 The moon marks the changing seasons, declares times, and is a sign for the world.
7 A luna signum diei festi: luminare quod minuitur in consummatione.
7 From the moon is the sign of feast days, a light that wanes when it completes its course.
8 Mensis secundum nomen ejus est, crescens mirabiliter in consummatione.
8 The month is called after its name, increasing wonderfully in its changing— an instrument of the army on high, shining in the structure of heaven,
9 Vas castrorum in excelsis, in firmamento cæli resplendens gloriose.
9 the beauty of heaven, the glory of the stars, an ornament giving light in the highest places of the Lord.
10 Species cæli gloria stellarum: mundum illuminans in excelsis Dominus.
10 At the word of the Holy One, they will stand in due order. They won’t faint in their watches.
11 In verbis Sancti stabunt ad judicium, et non deficient in vigiliis suis.]
11 Look at the rainbow, and praise him who made it. It is exceedingly beautiful in its brightness.
12 [Vide arcum, et benedic eum qui fecit illum: valde speciosus est in splendore suo.
12 It encircles the sky with its glorious circle. The hands of the Most High have stretched it out.
13 Gyravit cælum in circuitu gloriæ suæ: manus Excelsi aperuerunt illum.
13 By his commandment, he makes the snow fall and swiftly sends the lightnings of his judgment.
14 Imperio suo acceleravit nivem, et accelerat coruscationes emittere judicii sui.
14 Therefore the storehouses are opened, and clouds fly out like birds.
15 Propterea aperti sunt thesauri, et evolaverunt nebulæ sicut aves.
15 By his mighty power, he makes the clouds strong and the hailstones are broken in pieces.
16 In magnitudine sua posuit nubes, et confracti sunt lapides grandinis.
16 At his appearing, the mountains will be shaken. At his will, the south wind will blow.
17 In conspectu ejus commovebuntur montes, et in voluntate ejus aspirabit notus.
17 The voice of his thunder rebukes the earth. So does the northern storm and the whirlwind. Like birds flying down, he sprinkles the snow. It falls down like the lighting of locusts.
18 Vox tonitrui ejus verberavit terram, tempestas aquilonis, et congregatio spiritus:
18 The eye is dazzled at the beauty of its whiteness. The heart is amazed as it falls.
19 et sicut avis deponens ad sedendum, aspergit nivem, et sicut locusta demergens descensus ejus.
19 He also pours out frost on the earth like salt. When it is freezes, it has points like thorns.
20 Pulchritudinem candoris ejus admirabitur oculus, et super imbrem ejus expavescet cor.
20 The cold north wind blows and ice freezes on the water. It settles on every pool of water. The water puts it on like it was a breastplate.
21 Gelu sicut salem effundet super terram: et dum gelaverit, fiet tamquam cacumina tribuli.
21 It will devour the mountains, burn up the wilderness, and consume the green grass like fire.
22 Frigidus ventus aquilo flavit, et gelavit crystallus ab aqua: super omnem congregationem aquarum requiescet, et sicut lorica induet se aquis:
22 A mist coming speedily heals all things. A dew coming after heat brings cheerfulness.
23 et devorabit montes, et exuret desertum, et extinguet viride, sicut igne.
23 By his counsel, he has calmed the deep and planted islands in it.
24 Medicina omnium in festinatione nebulæ: et ros obvians ab ardore venienti humilem efficiet eum.
24 Those who sail on the sea tell of its dangers. We marvel when we hear it with our ears.
25 In sermone ejus siluit ventus, et cogitatione sua placavit abyssum: et plantavit in illa Dominus insulas.
25 There are also those strange and wondrous works in it— variety of all that has life and the huge creatures of the sea.
26 Qui navigant mare enarrent pericula ejus, et audientes auribus nostris admirabimur.
26 Because of him, his messengers succeed. By his word, all things hold together.
27 Illic præclara opera et mirabilia, varia bestiarum genera, et omnium pecorum, et creatura belluarum.
27 We may say many things, but couldn’t say enough. The summary of our words is, “He is everything!”
28 Propter ipsum confirmatus est itineris finis, et in sermone ejus composita sunt omnia.]
28 How could we have strength to glorify him? For he is himself the greater than all his works.
29 [Multa dicemus, et deficiemus in verbis: consummatio autem sermonum ipse est in omnibus.
29 The Lord is awesome and exceedingly great! His power is marvelous!
30 Gloriantes ad quid valebimus? ipse enim omnipotens super omnia opera sua.
30 Glorify the Lord and exalt him as much as you can! For even yet, he will surpass that. When you exalt him, summon your full strength. Don’t be weary, because you can’t praise him enough.
31 Terribilis Dominus, et magnus vehementer, et mirabilis potentia ipsius.
31 Who has seen him, that he may describe him? Who can magnify him as he is?
32 Glorificantes Dominum quantumcumque potueritis, supervalebit enim adhuc: et admirabilis magnificentia ejus.
32 Many things greater than these are hidden, for we have seen just a few of his works.
33 Benedicentes Dominum, exaltate illum quantum potestis: major enim est omni laude.
33 For the Lord made all things. He gave wisdom to the godly.
34 Exaltantes eum, replemini virtute, ne laboretis, non enim comprehendetis.
34 Not in this translation
35 Quis videbit eum et enarrabit? et quis magnificabit eum sicut est ab initio?
35 Not in this translation
36 Multa abscondita sunt majora his: pauca enim vidimus operum ejus.
36 Not in this translation
37 Omnia autem Dominus fecit, et pie agentibus dedit sapientiam.]
37 Not in this translation
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
… powerless to express in words our gratitude for the benefits which we are actually receiving; for He "passes all understanding," and convicts speech of its natural inability even to approach His dignity in the least degree; as it is written in the Book of Wisdom, "Exalt Him as much as you can, for even yet will He far exceed; and …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 8 (1895)