Ecclesiasticus (Sirach)

1:0 [Prologue]

1:0 [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 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.

1:1 All wisedome [commeth] from the Lord, and is with him for euer.

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

1:2 Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of raine, and the dayes of eternity?

1:2 Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of eternity?

1:3 Who can finde out the height of heauen, and the breadth of the earth, and the deepe, and wisedome?

1:3 Who can find out the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the deep, and wisdom?

1:4 Wisedome hath beene created before all things, and the vnderstanding of prudence from euerlasting.

1:4 Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.

1:5 The word of God most high, is the fountaine of wisdome, & her wayes are euerlasting commandements.

1:5 The word of God most high is the fountain of wisdom; and her ways are everlasting commandments.

1:6 To whom hath the root of wisdome beene reuealed? or who hath knowen her wise counsels?

1:6 To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed? or who hath known her wise counsels?

1:7 [Unto whom hath the knowledge of wisedome beene made manifest? and who hath vnderstood her great experience?]

1:7 [Unto whom hath the knowledge of wisdom been made manifest? and who hath understood her great experience?]

1:8 There is one wise and greatly to bee feared; the Lord sitting vpon his Throne.

1:8 There is one wise and greatly to be feared, the Lord sitting upon his throne.

1:9 He created her, and saw her, and numbred her, and powred her out vpon all his workes.

1:9 He created her, and saw her, and numbered her, and poured her out upon all his works.

1:10 Shee [is] with all flesh according to his gift, and hee hath giuen her to them that loue him.

1:10 She is with all flesh according to his gift, and he hath given her to them that love him.

1:11 The feare of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladnesse, and a crowne of reioycing.

1:11 The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of rejoicing.

1:12 The feare of the Lord maketh a merrie heart, and giueth ioy and gladnesse, and a long life.

1:12 The fear of the Lord maketh a merry heart, and giveth joy, and gladness, and a long life.

1:13 Who so feareth the Lord, it shall goe well with him at the last, & he shall finde fauour in the day of his death.

1:13 Whoso feareth the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last, and he shall find favour in the day of his death.

1:14 To feare the Lord, is the beginning of wisedome: and it was created with the faithfull in the wombe.

1:14 To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and it was created with the faithful in the womb.

1:15 Shee hath built an euerlasting foundation with men, and she shal continue with their seede.

1:15 She hath built an everlasting foundation with men, and she shall continue with their seed.

1:16 To feare the Lord, is fulnesse of wisedome, and filleth men with her fruits.

1:16 To fear the Lord is fulness of wisdom, and filleth men with her fruits.

1:17 Shee filleth all their house with things desireable, and the garners with her increase.

1:17 She filleth all their house with things desirable, and the garners with her increase.

1:18 The feare of the Lord is a crowne of wisedome, making peace and perfect health to flourish, both which are the gifts of God: and it enlargeth their reioycing that loue him.

1:18 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.

1:19 Wisedome raineth downe skill and knowledge of vnderstanding, and exalteth them to honour that holde her fast.

1:19 Wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of understanding standing, and exalteth them to honour that hold her fast.

1:20 The root of wisedome is to feare the Lord, and the branches thereof are long life.

1:20 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and the branches thereof are long life.

1:21 The feare of the Lord driueth away sinnes: and where it is present, it turneth away wrath.

1:21 The fear of the Lord driveth away sins: and where it is present, it turneth away wrath.

1:22 A furious man cannot be iustified, for the sway of his fury shalbe his destruction.

1:22 A furious man cannot be justified; for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction.

1:23 A patient man will beare for a time, and afterward ioy shall spring vp vnto him.

1:23 A patient man will tear for a time, and afterward joy shall spring up unto him.

1:24 He wil hide his words for a time, and the lippes of many shall declare his wisedome.

1:24 He will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.

1:25 The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of wisedome: but godlines is an abomination to a sinner.

1:25 The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of wisdom: but godliness is an abomination to a sinner.

1:26 If thou desire wisedome, keepe the commaundements, and the Lord shall giue her vnto thee.

1:26 If thou desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord shall give her unto thee.

1:27 For the feare of the Lord is wisdome, and instruction: and faith and meekenesse are his delight.

1:27 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction: and faith and meekness are his delight.

1:28 Distrust not the feare of the Lord when thou art poore: and come not vnto him with a double heart.

1:28 Distrust not the fear of the Lord when thou art poor: and come not unto him with a double heart.

1:29 Be not an hypocrite in the sight of men, and take good heede what thou speakest.

1:29 Be not an hypocrite in the sight of men, and take good heed what thou speakest.

1:30 Exalt not thy selfe, lest thou fall, and bring dishonor vpon thy soule, and so God discouer thy secrets, and cast thee downe in the midst of the congregation, because thou camest not in trueth, to the feare of the Lord: but thy heart is full of deceit.

1:30 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.