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 20,1-32
Chapter XX.
1 Of silence and speaking. 10 Of gifts, and gaine. 18 Of slipping by the tongue. 24 Of lying. 27 Of diuers aduertisements.
1 There is a reproofe that is not [ Or, seasonable.] comely: againe some man holdeth his tongue, and he is wise.
2 It is much better to reprooue, then to be angry secretly, and he that confesseth his fault, shall be preserued from hurt.
3 How good is it when thou art reproued, to shew repentance? for so shalt thou escape wilfull sinne.
4 As is the lust of an [ Sirach 30.20.] Eunuch to defloure a virgine; so is he that executeth iudgement with violence.
5 There is one that keepeth silence and is found wise: and another by much babling becommeth hatefull.
6 Some man holdeth his tongue, because hee hath not to answere, and some keepeth silence, [ Ecc_3:7.] knowing his time.
7 A wise man wil hold his [ Sirach 32.4.] tongue till he see opportunitie: but a babler and a foole will regard no time.
8 He that vseth many words shalbe abhorred; and hee that taketh to himselfe authoritie therein, shalbe hated.
9 There is a sinner that hath good successe in euill things; and there is a gaine that turneth to losse.
10 There is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there is a gift whose recompence is double.
11 There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth vp his head from a low estate.
12 There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it seuen fold.
13 [ Sirach 6.5.] A wise man by his words maketh himselfe beloued: but the [ Or, pleasant conceits.] graces of fooles shalbe [ Lost, or spilt.] powred out.
14 The gift of a foole shall doe thee no good when thou hast it; neither yet of the enuious for his necessitie: for hee [ Greek: for, his eyes are many for one to receiue.] looketh to receiue many things for one.
15 Hee giueth little and vpbraideth much; hee openeth his mouth like a crier; to day he lendeth, and to morrow will he aske it againe: such an one is to be hated of God and man.
16 The foole saith, I haue no friends, I haue no thanke for all my good deeds: and they that eate my bread speake euill of me.
17 How oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to scorne? for hee knoweth not aright what it is to haue; and it is all one vnto him, as if he had it not.
18 To slip vpon a pauement, is better then to slip with the tongue: so, the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
19 [ Or, an vnpleasant fellow.] An vnseasonable tale will alwayes be in the mouth of the vnwise.
20 A wise sentence shall be reiected when it commeth out of a fools mouth: for he will not speake it in due season.
21 There is that is hindred from sinning through want: and when hee taketh rest, he [ Greek: shall not be pricked.] shall not be troubled.
22 There is that destroyeth his owne soule through bashfulnesse, and by accepting of persons ouerthroweth himselfe.
23 There is that for bashfulnes promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.
24 [ Sirach 25.2.] A lie is a foule blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the vntaught.
25 A thiefe is better then a man that is accustomed to lie: but they both shall haue destruction to heritage.
26 The disposition of a liar is [ Or, igno-minde.] dishonourable, and his shame is euer with him.
27 A wise man shall promote himselfe to honour with his words: and hee that hath vnderstanding, will please great men.
28 [ Pro_12:11; Pro_28:19.] He that tilleth his land, shall increase his heape: and he that pleaseth great men, shal get pardon for iniquity.
29 [ Exo_23:8; Deu_16:19.] Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and [ Or, as a muzzle in the mouth.] stoppe vp his mouth that he cannot reprooue.
30 Wisedome that is hidde, and treasure that is hoarded vp, what profit is in them both?
31 Better is he that hideth his folly, then a man that hideth his wisedome.
32 Necessary patience in seeking the Lord, is better then he that leadeth his life without a guide.