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 51,1-30
Chapter LI.
A Prayer of Iesus the sonne of Sirach.
1 I will thanke thee, O Lord and king, and praise thee O God my Sauiour, I doe giue praise vnto thy name:
2 For thou art my defeuder, and helper, and hast preserued my body from destruction, and from the snare of the slanderous tongue, and from the lippes that forge lies, and hast beene my helper against mine aduersaries.
3 And hast deliuered me according to the multitude of thy mercies, and greatnesse of thy name, from the [ Greek: the gnashing of the teeth.] teeth of them that were ready to deuoure me, and out of the hands of such as sought after my life, and from the manifold afflictions which I had:
4 From the choking of fire on euery side, and from the mids of the fire, which I kindled not:
5 From the depth of the belly of hel, from an vncleane tongue, and from lying words.
6 By an accusation to the king from an vnrighteous tongue, my soule drew neere euen vnto death, my life was neere to the hell beneath:
7 They compassed me on euery side, and there was no man to helpe me: I looked for the succour of men, but there was none:
8 Then thought I vpon thy mercy, O Lord, and vpon thy acts of old, how thou deliuerest such as waite for
thee, and sauest them out of the hands of the enemies:
9 Then lifted I vp my supplication from the earth, and prayed for deliuerance from death.
10 I called vpon the Lord the father of my Lord, that he would not leaue me in the dayes of my trouble, & in the time of the proud when there was no helpe.
11 I will praise thy Name continually, and will sing praise with thankesgiuing, and so my prayer was heard:
12 For thou sauedst me from destruction, and deliuerest mee from the euill time: therefore will I giue thankes and praise thee, and blesse thy Name, O Lord.
13 When I was yet yong, or euer I [ Or, went astray.] went abroad, I desired wisedome openly in my prayer.
14 I prayed for her before the Temple, & will seeke her out euen to the end:
15 Euen from the flowre till the grape was ripe, hath my heart delighted in her, my foot went the right way, from my youth vp sought I after her.
16 I bowed downe mine eare a litle and receiued her, & gate much learning.
17 I profited therein, [therefore.] will I ascribe the glory vnto him that giueth me wisedome:
18 For I purposed to doe after her, and earnestly I followed that which is good, so shall I not be confounded:
19 My soule hath wrestled with her, and in my doings I was exact, I stretched foorth my hands to the heauen aboue, & bewailed my ignorances of her.
20 [ Or, I got vnderstanding.] I directed my soule vnto her, and I found her in purenesse, I haue had my heart ioyned with her from the beginning, therefore shall I not bee forsaken.
21 My [ Or, bowels.] heart was troubled in seeking her: therefore haue I gotten a good possession.
22 The Lord hath giuen mee a tongue for my reward, and I wil praise him therewith.
23 Draw neere vnto me you vnlearned, and dwell in the house of learning.
24 Wherefore are you slow, and what say you of these things, seeing your soules are very thirstie?
25 [ Isa_55:1.] I opened my mouth, and said, buy her for your selues without money.
26 Put your necke vnder the yoke, and let your soule receiue instruction, she is hard at hand to finde.
27 [ Sirach 6.18.] Behold with your eies, how that I haue had but little labour, and haue gotten vnto me much rest.
28 Get learning with a great summe of money, and get much gold by her.
29 Let your soule reioyce in his mercy, and be not ashamed of his praise.
30 Worke your worke betimes, & in his time he will giue you your reward.