THE WISDOME OF Iesus the sonne of Sirach, Or Ecclesiasticus.
Introductory matter
A Prologue made by an vncertaine Authour.
This Iesus was the sonne of Sirach, and grand-childe to Iesus of the same name with him; This man therefore liued in the latter times, after the people had bene led away captiue, and called home againe, and almost after all the Prophets. [ Note: Some referre this Prologue to Athanasius, because it is found in his Synopsis.] Now his grandfather Iesus (as he himselfe witnesseth) was a man of great diligence and wisedome among the Hebrewes, who did not onely gather the graue and short Sentences of wise men, that had bene before him, but himselfe also vttered some of his owne, full of much vnderstanding and wisedome. When as therefore the first Iesus died, leauing this booke almost [ Note: Or, collected.] perfected, Sirach his sonne receiuing it after him, left it to his owne sonne Iesus, who hauing gotten it into his hands, compiled it all orderly into one Uolume, and called it Wisdome, Intituling it, both by his owne name, his fathers name, and his grandfathers, alluring the hearer by the very name of Wisedome, to haue a greater loue to the studie of this Booke. It conteineth therefore wise Sayings, darke Sentences, and Parables, and certaine particular ancient godly stories of men that pleased God. Also his Prayer and Song. Moreouer, what benefits God had vouchsafed his people, and what plagues he had heaped vpon their enemies. This Iesus did imitate Solomon, and was no lesse famous for Wisedome, and learning, both being indeed a man of great learning, and so reputed also.
The Prologue of the Wisdome of Iesus the sonne of Sirach.
Whereas many and great things haue bene deliuered vnto vs by the Law and the Prophets, and by others that haue followed their steps, for the which things Israel ought to be commended for learning and Wisedome, and whereof not onely the Readers must needs become skilful themselues, but also they that desire to learne, be able to profit them which are [ Note: Or, of an other nation.] without, both by speaking and writing: My grandfather Iesus, when he had much giuen himselfe to the reading of the Law, and the Prophets, and other Bookes of our fathers, and had gotten therein good iudgement, was drawen on also himselfe, to write something pertayning to learning and Wisedome, to the intent that those which are desirous to learne, and are addicted to these things, might profit much more in liuing according to the Law. Wherefore, let me intreat you to reade it with fauour and attention, and to pardon Us, wherein wee may seeme to come short of some words which we haue laboured to interprete. For the same things vttered in Hebrew, and translated into an other tongue, haue not the same force in them: and not onely these things, but the Law it selfe, and the [ Note: Greek: prophecies.] Prophets, and the rest of the Bookes, haue no small [ Note: Or, excellencie.] difference, when they are spoken in their owne language. For in the eight and thirtieth yeere coming into Egypt, when Euergetes was King, and continuing there sometime, I found a [ Note: Or, helpe of learning.] Booke of no small learning, therefore I thought it most necessary for mee, to bestow some diligence and trauaile to interprete it: Using great watchfulnesse, and skill in that space, to bring the Booke to an end, and set it foorth for them also, which in a strange countrey are willing to learne, being prepared before in maners to liue after the Law.
Eclesiástico 14,1-27
Chapter XIIII.
1 A good conscience maketh men happie. 5 The niggard doth good to none. 13 But doe thou good. 10 Men are happy that draw neere to wisedome.
1 [ Sirach 19.16; Sirach 25.8; Jam_3:2.] Blessed is the man that hath not slipt with his mouth, and is not pricked with the [ Or, sorrow.] multitude of sinnes.
2 Blessed is hee whose conscience hath not condemned him, and who is not fallen from his hope in the Lord.
3 Riches are not comely for a niggard: and what should an enuious man doe with money?
4 He that gathereth by defrauding his owne soule, gathereth for others, that shall spend his goods riotously.
5 Hee that is euill to himselfe, to whom will he be good? he shall not take pleasure in his goods.
6 There is none worse then he that enuieth himselfe; and this is a recompence of his wickednesse.
7 And if he doth good, he doth it vnwillingly, and at the last he will declare his wickednesse.
8 The enuious man hath a wicked eye, he turneth away his face and despiseth men.
9 A [ Pro_17:20.] couetous mans eye is not satisfied with his portion, and the iniquity of the wicked dryeth vp his soule.
10 A wicked eye enuieth [his.] bread, and he is a niggard at his table.
11 My sonne, according to thy habilitie doe good to thy selfe, and giue the Lord his due offering.
12 Remember that death will not be long in comming, and that the couenant of the graue is not shewed vnto thee.
13 [ Tobit.4.7; Luk_14:13.] Doe good vnto thy friend before thou die, and according to thy abilitie, stretch out thy hand and giue to him.
14 Defraud not thy selfe of [ Or, the feast day.] the good day, and let not the part of a good desire ouerpasse thee.
15 Shalt thou not leaue thy trauailes vnto another? and thy labours to be diuided by lot?
16 Giue, and take, and sanctifie thy soule, for there is no seeking of dainties in the graue.
17 [ Isa_40:5; Jam_1:10; 1Pe_1:24.] All flesh waxeth old as a garment: for the couenant from the beginning is; thou shalt die the death.
18 As of the greene leaues on a thicke tree, some fall, and some grow; so is the generation of flesh and blood, one commeth
to an end, and another is borne.
19 Euery worke rotteth and consumeth away, and the worker therof shal goe withall.
20 [ Psa_1:2.] Blessed is the man that doeth meditate good things in wisdome, and that reasoneth of holy things by his vnderstanding.
21 He that considereth her wayes in his heart, shall also haue vnderstanding in her secrets.
22 Goe after her as one that traceth, and lie in wait in her wayes.
23 Hee that prieth in at her windowes, shal also hearken at her doores.
24 Hee that doeth lodge neere her house, shall also fasten a [ Or, stake.] pin in her walles.
25 He shall pitch his tent nigh vnto her, and shall lodge in a lodging where good things are.
26 He shal set his children vnder her shelter, and shall lodge vnder her branches.
27 By her he shall be couered from heat, and in her glory shall he dwell.