Et vidit Deus lucem quod esset bona: et divisit lucem a tenebris.
God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
esset = 3rd sg imperfect subjunctive -why?
Literal translation: God saw that the light was (or, even more literally, “were”, subjunctive) good. The Vulgate has a mixed construction, with lucem as direct object of vidit and then an indirect-speech clause (which uses subjunctive): vidit Deus lucem quod esset bona, word for word, “God saw the light that it was good.”
Appellavitque lucem Diem, et tenebras Noctem: factumque est vespere et mane, dies unus.
God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
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