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 33,1-31
Chapter XXXIII.
1 The safety of him that feareth the Lord. 2 The wise and the foolish. 7 Times and seasons are of God. 10 Men are in his hands, as clay in the hands of the potter. 18 Cheefely regard thy selfe. 24 Of seruants.
1 There shall no euill happen vnto him that feareth the Lord, but in temptation euen againe he will deliuer him.
2 A wise man hateth not the Law, but he that is an hypocrite therein, is as a ship in a storme.
3 A man of vnderstanding trusteth in the Law, and the Law is faithfull vnto him, [ Or, as the asking of Vrim.] as an oracle.
4 Prepare what to say, and so thou shalt be heard, and binde vp instruction, and then make answere.
5 The [ Greek: bowels.] heart of the [ Sirach 21.16.] foolish is like a cartwheele: and his thoughts are like a rolling axeltree.
6 A stallion horse is as a mocking friend, hee neigheth vnder euery one that sitteth vpon him.
7 Why doth one day excell another? when as all the light of euery day in the yeere is of the Sunne.
8 By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished: and he altered seasons and feasts.
9 Some of them hath hee made high dayes, and hallowed them, and some of them hath hee [ Or, ordained for the number of dayes.] made ordinary dayes.
10 And all men are from the ground, and [ Gen_1:27; Gen_2:7.] Adam was created of earth.
11 In much knowledge the Lord hath diuided them, and made their wayes diuers.
12 Some of them hath hee blessed, and exalted, and some of them hath hee sanctified, and set neere himselfe: but some of them hath hee cursed, and brought low, and turned out of their [ Or, standings.] places.
13 [ Isa_45:9; Rom_9:20-21.] As the clay is in the potters hand to fashion it at his pleasure: so man is in the hand of him that made him, to render to them as liketh him best.
14 Good is set against euill, and life against death: so is the godly against the sinner, and the sinner against the godly.
15 So looke vpon all the workes of the most High, and there are two and two, one against another.
16 I awaked vp last of all, as one that [ Or, gleaneth.] gathereth after the grape-gatherers: by the blessing of the Lord I profited, and filled my wine-presse, like a gatherer of grapes.
17 [ Sirach 24.39.] Consider that I laboured not for my selfe onely, but for all them that seeke learning;
18 Heare me, O ye great men of the people, and hearken with your eares ye rulers of the Congregation:
19 Giue not thy sonne, and wife, thy brother and friend power ouer thee while thou liuest, and giue not thy goods to another, lest it repent thee: and thou intreat for the same againe.
20 As long as thou liuest and hast breath in thee, [ Or, sell not.] giue not thy selfe ouer to any.
21 For better it is that thy children should seeke to thee, then that thou shouldst [ Or, looke to their hands.] stand to their courtesie.
22 In all thy workes keepe to thy selfe the preheminence, leaue not a staine in thine honour.
23 At the time when thou shalt end thy dayes, and finish thy life, distribute thine inheritance.
24 Fodder, a wand, and burdens, are for the asse: and bread, correction, and worke for a seruant. [ Of seruants.]
25 If thou set thy seruant to labour, thou shalt finde rest: but if thou let him goe idle, he shall seeke libertie.
26 A yoke and a collar doe bow the necke: so are tortures and torments for an euill seruant.
27 Sende him to labour that hee be not idle: for idlenesse teacheth much euill.
28 Set him to worke, as is fit for him; if he be not obedient, put on more heauy fetters.
29 But be not excessiue toward any, and without discretion doe nothing.
30 [ Sirach 7.20.] If thou haue a seruant, let him bee vnto thee as thy selfe, because thou hast bought him [ Greek: in blood.] with a price.
31 If thou haue a seruant, intreate him as a brother: for thou hast neede of him, as of thine owne soule: if thou intreate him euill, and he runne from thee, which way wilt thou goe to seeke him?