Multifariam, multisque modis olim Deus loquens patribus in prophetis:

God, who, at sundry times and in divers manners, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all,

In old days, God spoke to our fathers in many ways and by many means, through the prophets; now at last

novissime, diebus istis locutus est nobis in Filio, quem constituit hæredem universorum, per quem fecit et sæcula:

In these days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world.

in these times he has spoken to us with a Son to speak for him; a Son, whom he has appointed to inherit all things, just as it was through him that he created this world of time;

qui cum sit splendor gloriæ, et figura substantiæ ejus, portansque omnia verbo virtutis suæ, purgationem peccatorum faciens, sedet ad dexteram majestatis in excelsis:

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the figure of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, making purgation of sins, sitteth on the right hand of the majesty on high.

a Son, who is the radiance of his Father’s splendour, and the full expression of his being; all creation depends, for its support, on his enabling word. Now, making atonement for our sins, he has taken his place on high, at the right hand of God’s majesty,

tanto melior angelis effectus, quanto differentius præ illis nomen hæreditavit.

Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they.

superior to the angels in that measure in which the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Cui enim dixit aliquando angelorum: Filius meus es tu, ego hodie genui te? Et rursum: Ego ero illi in patrem, et ipse erit mihi in filium?

For to which of the angels hath he said at any time, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

Did God ever say to one of the angels, Thou art my Son, I have begotten thee this day? And again, He shall find in me a Father, and I in him a Son?

Et cum iterum introducit primogenitum in orbem terræ, dicit: Et adorent eum omnes angeli Dei.

And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith: And let all the angels of God adore him.

Why, when the time comes for bringing his first-born into the world anew, then, he says, Let all the angels of God worship before him.

Et ad angelos quidem dicit: Qui facit angelos suos spiritus, et ministros suos flammam ignis.

And to the angels indeed he saith: He that maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

What does he say of the angels? He will have his angels be like the winds, the servants that wait on him like a flame of fire.

Ad Filium autem: Thronus tuus Deus in sæculum sæculi: virga æquitatis, virga regni tui.

But to the Son: Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of justice is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

And what of the Son? Thy throne, O God, stands firm for ever and ever; the sceptre of thy kingship is a rod that rules true.

Dilexisti justitiam, et odisti iniquitatem: propterea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, oleo exultationis præ participibus tuis.

Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Thou hast been a friend to right, an enemy to wrong; and God, thy own God, has given thee an unction to bring thee pride, as none else of thy fellows.

Et: Tu in principio, Domine, terram fundasti: et opera manuum tuarum sunt cæli.

And: Thou in the beginning, O Lord, didst found the earth: and the works of thy hands are the heavens.

And elsewhere: Lord, thou hast laid the foundations of the earth at its beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands.

Ipsi peribunt, tu autem permanebis, et omnes ut vestimentum veterascent:

They shall perish, but thou shalt continue: and they shall all grow old as a garment.

They will perish, but thou wilt remain; they will all be like a cloak that grows threadbare,

et velut amictum mutabis eos, et mutabuntur: tu autem idem ipse es, et anni tui non deficient.

And as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: but thou art the selfsame, and thy years shall not fail.

and thou wilt lay them aside, like a garment, and exchange them for new; but thou art he who never changes, thy years will not come to an end.

Ad quem autem angelorum dixit aliquando: Sede a dextris meis, quoadusque ponam inimicos tuos scabellum pedum tuorum?

But to which of the angels said he at any time: Sit on my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool?

Did he ever say to one of the angels, Sit on my right hand, while I make thy enemies a footstool under thy feet?

Nonne omnes sunt administratorii spiritus, in ministerium missi propter eos, qui hæreditatem capient salutis?

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for them, who shall receive the inheritance of salvation?

What are they, all of them, but spirits apt for service, whom he sends out when the destined heirs of eternal salvation have need of them?