Thursday in the Fourth Week of August

If today be a Feria, the Collect is taken from the preceding Sunday as given in the Ordo.

Matins

De libro Ecclesiástici

The Lesson is taken from
the Book of Ecclesiasticus

Altióra te ne quæsíeris et fortióra te ne scrutátus fúeris ; sed, quæ præcépit tibi Deus, illa cógita semper et in plúribus opéribus ejus ne fúeris curiósus ; non est enim tibi necessárium ea quæ abscóndita sunt vidére óculis tuis.  In supervácuis rebus noli scrutári multiplíciter, et in plúribus opéribus ejus non eris curiósus ; plúrima enim super sensum hóminum osténsa sunt tibi ; multos quoque supplantávit suspício illórum et in vanitáte detínuit sensus illórum.

Seek not out the things that are above thee, neither search the things that are above thy strength.  But what God hath commanded thee, think thereon alway, and be not curious concerning the diversity of his works.  For it is not necessary for thee to see with thine eyes the things that are in secret.  Search not too much into unnecessary matters, and be not curious concerning the diversity of his works, for more things are shewn unto thee than men understand.  For many are deceived by their guesses concerning them, and a vain opinion hath overthrown their judgment.

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.

Cor durum habébit male in novíssimo, et qui amat perículum in illo períbit.  Cor ingrédiens duas vias non habébit succéssus, et pravus corde in illis scandalizábitur.  Cor nequam gravábitur in dolóribus, et peccátor adjíciet ad peccándum.  Synagógæ superbórum non erit sánitas, frutex enim peccáti radicábitur in illis et non intellígitur.

A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last, and he that loveth danger shall perish therein.  An heart that entereth on a double way, shall not have success, and he whose heart is corrupt shall stumble therein.  An obstinate heart shall be laden with sorrows, and the wicked man shall heap sin upon sin.  In the congregation of the proud there is no remedy, for the plant of wickedness hath taken root there, and they shall not know it.

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.

In Feastdays of Simple rank :

V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Superbórum et sublímium colla própria virtúte calcávi.

V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And by mine own power have I trodden under my feet the hearts of both the high and the low.

And on such Feastdays of Simple rank, the Third Lesson is read according to the Proper.

Proper Third Lesson

Cor sapiéntis intellígitur in sapiéntia, et auris bona áudiet cum omni concupiscéntia sapiéntiam.  Sápiens cor et intelligíbile abstinébit se a peccátis et in opéribus justítiæ succéssus habébit.  Ignem ardéntem exstínguit aqua, et eleemósyna resístit peccátis ; et Deus prospéctor est ejus qui reddit grátiam, méminit ejus in pósterum, et in témpore casus sui invéniet firmaméntum.

The heart of the prudent will understand wisdom, and the ear of the good will listen to wisdom with all eagerness.  A wise and understanding heart will refrain from sin, and will work righteousness, and have success therein.  Water will quench a flaming fire, and alms are an antidote against sins.  God looketh upon him which giveth.  He is mindful of him hereafter, and when he faileth, he shall find a stay.

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.

The Office of Matins ends after the Third Respond.  The Te Deum is not said, and Lauds normally follows immediately, beginning with the Opening Versicles.  Otherwise, the Conclusion of Matins is read, according to the Rubrics.

Conclusion of Matins
 

After the conclusion of the First Nocturn, the Second Nocturn is begun according to the current weekday.

Second Nocturn