Ecclesiasticus, 1

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0. [A Prologue made by an uncertain Author] This Jesus was the son of Sirach, and grandchild to Jesus of the same name with him: this man therefore lived in the latter times, after the people had been led away captive, and called home a again, and almost after all the prophets. Now his grandfather Jesus, as he himself witnesseth, was a man of great diligence and wisdom among the Hebrews, who did not only gather the grave and short sentences of wise men, that had been before him, but himself also uttered some of his own, full of much understanding and wisdom. When as therefore the first Jesus died, leaving this book almost perfected, Sirach his son receiving it after him left it to his own son Jesus, who, having gotten it into his hands, compiled it all orderly into one volume, and called it Wisdom, intituling it both by his own name, his father's name, and his grandfather's; alluring the hearer by the very name of Wisdom to have a greater love to the study of this book. It containeth therefore wise sayings, dark sentences, and parables, and certain particular ancient godly stories of men that pleased God; also his prayer and song; moreover, what benefits God had vouchsafed his people, and what plagues he had heaped upon their enemies. This Jesus did imitate Solomon, and was no less famous for wisdom and learning, both being indeed a man of great learning, and so reputed also. [The Prologue of the Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach.] Whereas many and great things have been delivered unto us by the law and the prophets, and by others that have followed their steps, for the which things Israel ought to be commended for learning and wisdom; and whereof not only the readers must needs become skilful themselves, but also they that desire to learn be able to profit them which are without, both by speaking and writing: my grandfather Jesus, when he had much given himself to the reading of the law, and the prophets, and other books of our fathers, and had gotten therein good judgment, was drawn on also himself to write something pertaining to learning and wisdom; to the intent that those which are desirous to learn, and are addicted to these things, might profit much more in living according to the law. Wherefore let me intreat you to read it with favour and attention, and to pardon us, wherein we may seem to come short of some words, which we have laboured to interpret. For the same things uttered in Hebrew, and translated into another tongue, have not the same force in them: and not only these things, but the law itself, and the prophets, and the rest of the books, have no small difference, when they are spoken in their own language. For in the eight and thirtieth year coming into Egypt, when Euergetes was king, and continuing there some time, I found a book of no small learning: therefore I thought it most necessary for me to bestow some diligence and travail to interpret it; using great watchfulness and skill in that space to bring the book to an end, and set it forth for them also, which in a strange country are willing to learn, being prepared before in manners to live after the law.

1. All wisdom comes from the Lord, she is with him for ever.

1. All wisdom cometh from the Lord, and is with him for ever.

2. The sands of the sea, the drops of rain, the days of eternity -- who can count them?

2. Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of eternity?

3. The height of the sky, the breadth of the earth, the depth of the abyss -- who can explore them?

3. Who can find out the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the deep, and wisdom?

4. Wisdom was created before everything, prudent understanding subsists from remotest ages.

4. Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.

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5. The word of God most high is the fountain of wisdom; and her ways are everlasting commandments.

6. For whom has the root of wisdom ever been uncovered? Her resourceful ways, who knows them?

6. To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed? or who hath known her wise counsels?

7.

7. [Unto whom hath the knowledge of wisdom been made manifest? and who hath understood her great experience?]

8. One only is wise, terrible indeed,

8. There is one wise and greatly to be feared, the Lord sitting upon his throne.

9. seated on his throne, the Lord. It was he who created, inspected and weighed her up, and then poured her out on all his works-

9. He created her, and saw her, and numbered her, and poured her out upon all his works.

10. as much to each living creature as he chose -- bestowing her on those who love him.

10. She is with all flesh according to his gift, and he hath given her to them that love him.

11. The fear of the Lord is glory and pride, happiness and a crown of joyfulness.

11. The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of rejoicing.

12. The fear of the Lord gladdens the heart, giving happiness, joy and long life.

12. The fear of the Lord maketh a merry heart, and giveth joy, and gladness, and a long life.

13. For those who fear the Lord, all will end well: on their dying day they will be blessed.

13. Whoso feareth the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last, and he shall find favour in the day of his death.

14. The basis of wisdom is to fear the Lord; she was created with the faithful in their mothers' womb;

14. To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and it was created with the faithful in the womb.

15. she has made a home in the human race, an age -- old foundation, and to their descendants will she faithfully cling.

15. She hath built an everlasting foundation with men, and she shall continue with their seed.

16. The fullness of wisdom is to fear the Lord; she intoxicates them with her fruits;

16. To fear the Lord is fulness of wisdom, and filleth men with her fruits.

17. she fills their entire house with treasures and their storerooms with her produce.

17. She filleth all their house with things desirable, and the garners with her increase.

18. The crown of wisdom is to fear the Lord: she makes peace and health flourish.

18. The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish; both which are the gifts of God: and it enlargeth their rejoicing that love him.

19. The Lord has seen and assessed her, he has showered down knowledge and intelligence, he has exalted the renown of those who possess her.

19. Wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of understanding standing, and exalteth them to honour that hold her fast.

20. The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and her branches are long life.

20. The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and the branches thereof are long life.

21.

21. The fear of the Lord driveth away sins: and where it is present, it turneth away wrath.

22. The rage of the wicked cannot put him in the right, for the weight of his rage is his downfall.

22. A furious man cannot be justified; for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction.

23. A patient person puts up with things until the right time comes: but his joy will break out in the end.

23. A patient man will tear for a time, and afterward joy shall spring up unto him.

24. Till the time comes he keeps his thoughts to himself, and many a lip will affirm how wise he is.

24. He will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.

25. Wisdom's treasuries contain the maxims of knowledge, the sinner, however, holds piety in abhorrence.

25. The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of wisdom: but godliness is an abomination to a sinner.

26. If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord will bestow it on you.

26. If thou desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord shall give her unto thee.

27. For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction, and what pleases him is faithfulness and gentleness.

27. For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction: and faith and meekness are his delight.

28. Do not stand out against fear of the Lord, do not practise it with a double heart.

28. Distrust not the fear of the Lord when thou art poor: and come not unto him with a double heart.

29. Do not act a part in public, keep watch over your lips.

29. Be not an hypocrite in the sight of men, and take good heed what thou speakest.

30. Do not grow too high and mighty, for fear you fall and cover yourself in disgrace; for the Lord would then reveal your secrets and overthrow you before the whole community for not having practised fear of the Lord and for having a heart full of deceit.

30. Exalt not thyself, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul, and so God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation, because thou camest not in truth to the fear of the Lord, but thy heart is full of deceit.