11th-century manuscript (M.)
Original punctuation reproduced: Quoniam de civitatis vtriusque. terrenae scilicet et caelestis, debitis finibus deinceps mihi uideo disputandum s prius exponenda sunt quantum operis huius terminandi ratio patitur, argumenta mortalium. quibus sibi ipsi beatitudinem facere in huius uitae infelicitate moliti sunt, ut ab eorum rebus uanis spes nostra quid differat quam deus nobis dedit. & res ipsa hoc est uera beatitudo quam dabit i non tantum auctoritate diuina. sed adhibita etiam ratione qualem propter infideles possumus adhibere, clarescat.
Plain English translation (natural):
Since I must next argue about the two cities. namely the earthly and the heavenly, concerning their proper bounds, I see that I must discuss this; but first must be set forth, as far as the reason for finishing this work allows, the arguments of mortals. By these they have tried to make for themselves blessedness amid the unhappiness of this life, so that from their vain things our hope might be distinguished — what differs from what God has given us. & the thing itself, this is true blessedness which he will give, not only by divine authority. but also when reason is applied, such as, because of unbelievers, we can apply, may be made clear.
Literal translation (close, word-for-word):
Because concerning the city of both. namely earthly and heavenly, concerning the due limits next to me I see that it must be disputed s first must be set forth how much the reasoning of finishing this work endures, arguments of mortals. by which to themselves beatitude to make in this life’s unhappiness they strove, so that from their things vain our hope what differs than God to us gave. & the thing itself this is true beatitude which he will give i not only by authority divine. but applied also by reason, such as on account of unbelievers we are able to apply, may be made clear.
Notes on the 11th-century renderings: I preserved the original punctuation (periods, commas, ampersand and the stray "i/s" marks). The plain translation smooths Latin word order and supplies implied words (e.g., "I must discuss/argue" for "disputandum"), while the literal line-by-line translation follows Latin grammar and word order closely (retaining ambiguous marks such as the isolated "s" and "i").
14th-century manuscript (N.)
Original punctuation reproduced: Quoniam de ciuitatis vtriusque terrene scilicet et celestis. debitis finibus deinceps mihi uideo disputandum t prius exponenda sunt quantum operis huius terminandi facio patitur . argumenta mortalium, quibus sibi ipsi beatitudinem facere in huius uite infelicitate moliti sunt • ut ab eorum rebus uanis spes nostra quid differat / quam deus nobis dedit et res ipsa / hoc est uera beatitudo / quam dabit / non tantum auctoritate diuina • sed adhibita eciam racione / qualem propter infideles possumus (adhibere) clarescat.
Plain English translation (natural):
Since I must next discuss the two cities. namely the earthly and the heavenly, concerning their proper bounds, I see that I must argue t; first must be set forth how much the reason for finishing this work permits. the arguments of mortals, by which they themselves strove to make blessedness in the unhappiness of this life • so that from their vain things our hope may differ / from what God has given us and the thing itself / that is true blessedness / which he will give / not only by divine authority • but also when reason is applied / the kind we can (apply) because of unbelievers, may be made clear.
Literal translation (close, word-for-word):
Because about the city of both earthly namely and heavenly. due bounds next to me I see to be disputed t first to be set forth how much the reason of finishing this work suffers . arguments of mortals, by which to themselves beatitude to make in this life’s unhappiness they strove • that from their things vain our hope what differs / than God to us gave and the thing itself / this is true beatitude / which will give / not only by authority divine • but applied also by reason / such as because of unbelievers we are able (to apply) may be made clear.
Notes on the 14th-century renderings: The 14th-century copy uses bullets and slashes to mark short segments; I preserved those markers in both translations. The plain version reads the slashed phrases as short clauses ("that is true blessedness / which he will give"). The literal version keeps closer to Latin word order and retains the parenthetical reading of the scribe's added or uncertain word (adhibere).
General comment: Both manuscripts present essentially the same passage with minor orthographic and punctuation differences. The plain translations smooth Latin syntax and supply English connective words; the literal translations preserve Latin word order and the manuscripts' punctuation and lacunae as closely as possible.