Second Sunday of August

Semidouble

August 5th or one of the next six days thereafter

Vanity of vanities, all is vanity

Vespers on the Eve of the
Second Sunday of August

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

All as at Saturday Vespers except for what is proper as below

V.  Vespertína orátio ascéndat ad te, Dómine.
R.  Et descéndat super nos misericórdia tua.

V.  Let our evening prayer come up before thee, O Lord.
R.  And let thy mercy come down upon us.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Ego in altíssimis * hábito : et thronus meus in colúmna nubis.

Ant. on Magnif:  I dwell in the highest places, * and my throne is in a cloudy pillar.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS if it is said

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn

If this Scripture cannot be read on this day, it with the Responds of this day should be transferred to the first ensuing day upon which the Scripture of the Season can be read, the Lessons of which day are then omitted.

First Nocturn

Absolutio: Exáudi, Dómine Jesu Christe, preces servórum tuórum, et miserére nobis : Qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivis et regnas in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  Graciously hear, O Lord Jesu Christ, the prayers of thy servants, and have mercy upon us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, for ever and ever.
R.  Amen.

Benedíctio 1: Benedictióne perpétua benedícat nos Pater ætérnus.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 1:  May the Father Eternal bless us with a never-ending blessing.
R.  Amen.

Incipit liber Ecclesiástes

Here beginneth the Book of Ecclesiastes

Verba Ecclesiástæ, fílii David, regis Jerúsalem.  Vánitas vanitátum, dixit Ecclesiástes ; vánitas vanitátum, et ómnia vánitas.  Quid habet ámplius homo de univérso labóre suo quo labórat sub sole?  Generátio præterit, et generátio ádvenit ; terra autem in ætérnum stat.  Oritur sol et óccidit et ad locum suum revértitur ; ibíque renáscens gyrat per merídiem et fléctitur ad aquilónem.  Lustrans univérsa in circúitu pergit spíritus et in círculos suos revértitur.  Omnia flúmina intrant in mare, et mare non redúndat ; ad locum unde éxeunt flúmina revertúntur, ut íterum fluant.

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.  Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.  What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?  One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.  The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.  The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.  All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  In princípio Deus ántequam terram fáceret, priúsquam abyssos constitúeret, priúsquam prodúceret fontes aquárum, * Antequam montes collocaréntur, ante omnes colles generávit me Dóminus.
V.  Quando præparábat cælos, áderam, cum eo cuncta compónens.
R.  Antequam montes collocaréntur, ante omnes colles generávit me Dóminus.

R.  The Lord possessed me in the beginning, or ever the earth was, when there were no fountains abounding with water ; * Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth.
V.  When he prepared the heavens, I was there, present with him, forming all things.
R.  Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth.

Benedíctio 2: Unigénitus Dei Fílius nos benedícere et adjuváre dignétur.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 2: May the Son of God, the sole-begotten, mercifully bless and keep us.
R.  Amen.

Cunctæ res diffíciles : non potest eas homo explicáre sermóne.  Non saturátur óculus visu, nec auris audítu implétur.  Quid est quod fuit?  Ipsum quod futúrum est.  Quid est quod factum est?  Ipsum quod faciéndum est.  Nihil sub sole novum, nec valet quisquam dícere : Ecce hoc recens est ; jam enim præcéssit in sæculis quæ fuérunt ante nos.  Non est priórum memória ; sed nec eórum quidem quæ póstea futúra sunt, erit recordátio apud eos qui futúri sunt in novíssimo.

All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.  The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.  Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.  There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Gyrum cæli circuívi sola, et in flúctibus maris ambulávi, in omni gente et in omni pópulo primátum ténui : * Superbórum et sublímium colla própria virtúte calcávi.
V.  Ego in altíssimis hábito, et thronus meus in colúmna nubis.
R.  Superbórum et sublímium colla própria virtúte calcávi.

R.  I alone have compassed the circuit of heaven, and walked in the bottom of the deep, and in every people and nation have I gotten myself a possession ; *  And by mine own power have I trodden under my feet the hearts of both the high and the low.
V.  I dwell in the highest places, and my throne is in a pillar of cloud.
R.  And by mine own power have I trodden under my feet the hearts of both the high and the low.

Benedíctio 3: Spíritus Sancti grátia illúminet sensus et corda nostra.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 3: May the grace of the Holy Spirit all our heart and mind enlighten.
R.  Amen.

Ego Ecclesiástes fui rex Israël in Jerúsalem et propósui in ánimo meo quærere et investigáre sapiénter de ómnibus quæ fiunt sub sole.  Hanc occupatiónem péssimam dedit Deus fíliis hóminum, ut occuparéntur in ea.  Vidi cuncta quæ fiunt sub sole, et ecce univérsa vánitas et afflíctio spíritus.  Pervérsi diffícile corrigúntur, et stultórum infinítus est  númerus.  Locútus sum in corde meo dicens : Ecce magnus efféctus sum et præcéssi omnes sapiéntia qui fuérunt ante me in Jerúsalem ; et mens mea contempláta est multa sapiénter, et dídici dedíque cor meum ut scirem prudéntiam atque doctrínam errorésque et stultítiam.

I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.  And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.  I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.  That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.  I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.  And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Emítte, Dómine, sapiéntiam de sede magnitúdinis tuæ, ut mecum sit et mecum labóret : * Ut sciam quid accéptum sit coram te omni témpore.
V.  Da mihi, Dómine, sédium tuárum assistrícem sapiéntiam.
R.  Ut sciam quid accéptum sit coram te omni témpore.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Ut sciam quid accéptum sit coram te omni témpore.

R.  Send Holy Wisdom out of thy heavens, O Lord, and from the Throne of thy Glory, to be present and labour with me, * That I may ever know what is pleasing unto thee.
V.  Give me, O Lord, Holy Wisdom that sitteth by thy Throne.
R.  That I may ever know what is pleasing unto thee.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  That I may ever know what is pleasing unto thee.

Second Nocturn

Absolutio: Ipsíus píetas et misericórdia nos ádjuvet, qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  May his loving-kindness and mercy assist us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, for ever and ever.
R.  Amen.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 4: Deus Pater omnípotens sit nobis propítius et clemens.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 4:  May God the Father Almighty shew us his mercy and pity.
R.  Amen.

Sálomon cum sæculárium rerum concupiscéntia tenerétur, magnas eas et admirándas putábat, multúmque in eis labóris et sollicitúdinis insumébat, magníficas ædificándo domos, copiósum coacervándo aurum, congregándo cantórum choros, vária génera ministrórum mensæ et popínæ, quæréndo ánimæ suæ voluptátem ab hortórum et córporum formosórum grátia, et omnem, ut ita dicam, oblectatiónis et refrigérii viam sectándo.

While Solomon was given up to the pleasures of the world, he deemed the same a great and noble pursuit, and expended thereon great labour and care.  He built magnificent palaces, he heaped up gold in plenty, he gathered together choirs of singers, and all sorts of servants to minister to the luxury of his table and of his fare.  He sought enjoyment for his heart from the charm of gardens and of fair bodies.  In short, he gave himself up to the study of all kinds of pleasure and recreation.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Da mihi, Dómine, sédium tuárum assistrícem sapiéntiam, et noli me reprobáre a púeris tuis : * Quóniam servus tuus sum ego, et fílius ancíllæ tuæ.
V.  Mitte illam de sede magnitúdinis tuæ, ut mecum sit et mecum labóret.
R.  Quóniam servus tuus sum ego, et fílius ancíllæ tuæ.

R.  Give me, O Lord, Holy Wisdom that sitteth by thy Throne, and reject me not from among thy children : *  For I am thy servant and the son of thine handmaid.
V.  Send Holy Wisdom from the Throne of thy Glory, to be present and labour with me.
R.  For I am thy servant and the son of thine handmaid.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 5: Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 5: May Christ bestow upon us the joys of life eternal.
R.  Amen.

At ubi inde ad se revérsus, et quasi ex umbrósa quadam abysso ad lumen veræ sapiéntiæ respícere váluit, tunc sublímem illam et cælis dignam emísit vocem : Vánitas vanitátum, dicens, et ómnia vánitas.  Hanc et vos, et hac sublimiórem, si voluéritis, efferétis senténtiam de intempestíva hac voluptáte, si aliquantísper a mala consuetúdine vos sequestravéritis.

But when he came to himself again, and was once more able, as it were, out of that dark pit, to look upon the light of true wisdom, he uttered that lofty saying, worthy of utterance by some heavenly spirit looking down upon earth : Vanity of vanities ; all is vanity.  And ye also, if ever ye do rid yourselves of your debasing habits, will utter this cry (and even an higher cry than this), in the moment that ye turn in disgust from your wicked indulgences.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Inítium sapiéntiæ timor Dómini : * Intelléctus bonus ómnibus faciéntibus eum : laudátio ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.
V.  Diléctio illíus custódia legum est : quia omnis sapiéntia timor Dómini.
R.  Intelléctus bonus ómnibus faciéntibus eum : laudátio ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.

R.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom : * A good understanding have all they that do thereafter ; the praise of it endureth for ever.
V.  For the fear of the Lord is all wisdom, and love is the keeping of her law.
R.  A good understanding have all they that do thereafter ; the praise of it endureth for ever.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 6: Ignem sui amóris accéndat Deus in córdibus nostris.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 6: May God enkindle in our hearts the fire of his holy love.
R.  Amen.

Quamvis autem a Salomóne sæculis superióribus non tam multa sapiéntiæ exigebátur diligéntia : neque enim delícias lex vetus prohibébat, neque áliis frui supervácuis dicébat vanum : áttamen et sic se habéntibus rebus, in ipsis contuéri licébit, quam viles et vanitáti obnóxiæ res sint.  Nos vero ad majórem vocáti vitam, et ad excelléntius fastígium ascéndimus, et in majóribus exercémur palæstris : et quid áliud, quam quod, sicut supérnæ virtútes intellectuáles et incorpóreæ illæ, vitam institúere jubémur?

The ages that had gone before Solomon had not left to his times so precious an inheritance of wisdom as the ages which have gone before us have left to our time ; for the old Law did not forbid indulgences such as Solomon sought, nor pronounce it folly to enjoy other idle luxuries.  And yet, even with matters so, he could see how low, how worthless, such things be.  As for us, we are called to a higher life ; we have been lifted up into an higher sphere of spiritual things ; we are even now being trained in a manlier school.  And why?  Because we are called to strive for a life like unto that of the heavenly spirits, which are not to be held down to the level of physical senses.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Verbum iníquum et dolósum longe fac a me, Dómine : * Divítias et paupertátem ne déderis mihi, sed tantum víctui meo tríbue necessária.
V.  Duo rogávi te, ne déneges mihi ántequam móriar.
R.  Divítias et paupertátem ne déderis mihi, sed tantum víctui meo tríbue necessária.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Divítias et paupertátem ne déderis mihi, sed tantum víctui meo tríbue necessária.

R.  Remove far from me, O Lord, vanity and lies, * And give me neither poverty nor riches, but feed me only with the necessaries of life.
V.  Two things have I asked of thee, deny me them not before I die.
R.  And give me neither poverty nor riches, but feed me only with the necessaries of life.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And give me neither poverty nor riches, but feed me only with the necessaries of life.