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 19,1-30
Chapter XIX.
2 Wine and women seduce wise men. 7 Say not all thou hearest. 17 Reproue thy friend without anger. 22 There is no wisedome in wickednesse.
1 A labouring man that is giuen to drunkennesse shal not be rich, and hee that contemneth small things shall fall by little & little.
2 Wine and women will make men of vnderstanding to fall away, and he that cleaueth to harlots will become impudent.
3 Mothes and wormes shall haue him to heritage, and a bold man shall be taken away.
4 [ Jos_22:11.] He that is hasty to giue credit is light minded, and he that sinneth shall offend against his owne soule.
5 Who so taketh pleasure in wickednesse shall be condemned, but he that resisteth pleasures, crowneth his life.
6 He that can rule his tongue shall liue without strife, and he that hateth babbling, shall haue lesse euill.
7 Rehearse not vnto another that which is told vnto thee, and thou shalt fare neuer the worse.
8 Whether it be [ Or, of friend or foe.] to friend or foe, talk not of other mens liues, and if thou canst without offence reueale them not.
9 For he heard and obserued thee, and when time commeth he will [ Or, shewe his hatred.] hate thee.
10 If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee, and be bold it will not burst thee.
11 A foole trauaileth with a word, as a woman in labour of a child.
12 As an arrowe that sticketh in a mans thigh, so is a word within a fooles [ Or, heart.] belly.
13 [ Lev_19:17; Mat_18:15.] Admonish a friend, it may be he hath not done it, and if he haue [done it.] that he doe it no more.
14 [ Or, reproue.] Admonish thy friend, it may be he hath not said it, and if he haue, that he speake it not againe.
15 Admonish a friend: for many times it is a slander, & beleeue not euery tale.
16 There is one that slippeth in his speach, but not [ Or, willingly.] from his heart, and who is he that hath not offended with his [ Jam_3:2.] tongue?
17 [ Or, reproue.] Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten him, and not being angry giue place to the Law of the most high.
18 The feare of the Lord is the first step [ Or, of receiuing him.] to be accepted [of him,] and wisedome obtaineth his loue.
19 The knowledge of the Commandements of the Lord, is the doctrine of life, and they that do things that please him, shall receiue the fruit of the tree of immortalitie.
20 The feare of the Lord is all wisedome, and in all wisedome is the performance of the Law, and the knowledge of his omnipotencie.
21 If a seruant say to his master, I will not doe as it pleaseth thee, though afterward hee doe it, hee angereth him that nourisheth him.
22 The knowledge of wickednes is not wisedome, neither at any time the counsell of sinners, prudence.
23 There is a wickednesse, and the same an abomination, and there is a foole wanting in wisedome.
24 He that hath smal vnderstanding and feareth God, is better then one that hath much wisedome, and transgresseth the Law of the most High.
25 There is an exquisite subtilty, and the same is vniust, and there is one that turneth aside to make iudgement appeare: and there is a wise man that [ Or, iudgeth.] iustifieth in iudgement.
26 There is a wicked man that hangeth downe his head [ Or, in blacke.] sadly; but inwardly he is full of deceit,
27 Casting downe his countenance, and making as if he heard not: where he is not knowen, he will do thee a mischiefe before thou be aware.
28 And if for want of power hee be hindered from sinning, yet when he findeth opportunitie he wil doe euil.
29 A man may bee knowen by his looke, and one that hath vnderstanding, by his countenance, when thou meetest him.
30 A mans attire, and excessiue laughter, and gate, shew what he is.