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 8,1-19
Chapter VIII.
1 Whom we may not striue with, 8 nor despise, 10 nor prouoke, 15 nor haue to doe with.
1 Striue not with a mighty man, lest thou fall into his hands.
2 Bee not at variance with a rich man, lest he ouerweigh thee: for gold [ Mat_5:25; Sirach 31.6.] hath destroyed many, and peruerted the hearts of kings.
3 Striue not with a man that is [ Or, of an euill tongue.] full of tongue, and heape not wood vpon his fire.
4 Iest not with a rude man, lest thy ancestours be disgraced.
5 Reproch not a man that turneth from sinne, but remember that we are all worthy [ Gal_6:2; 1Co_2:6.] of punishment.
6 [ Lev_19:32.] Dishonour not a man in his old age: for euen some of vs waxe old.
7 Reioice not ouer thy greatest enemie being dead, but remember that we die all.
8 Despise not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint thy selfe with their prouerbs; for of them thou shalt learne instruction, & how to serue great men with ease.
9 Misse not the discourse of the Elders: for they also learned of their fathers, and of them thou shalt learne vnderstanding, and to giue answere as need requireth.
10 Kindle not the coales of a sinner, lest thou be burnt with the flame of his fire.
11 Rise not vp (in anger) at the presence of an iniurious person, least he lie in waite to [ Or, for thy mouth.] entrap thee in thy words.
12 Lend not vnto him that is mightier then thy selfe; for if thou lendest him, count it but lost.
13 Be not surety aboue thy power: for if thou be surety, take care to pay it.
14 Goe not to law with a iudge, for they will iudge for him according to his [ Or, opinion.] honour.
15 [ Gen_4:8.] Trauaile not by the way with a bold fellow, least he become grieuous vnto thee: for he will doe according to his owne will, and thou shalt perish with him through his folly.
16 [ Pro_22:24.] Striue not with an angry man, and goe not with him into a solitary place: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no helpe, he will ouerthrow thee.
17 Consult not with a foole; for he cannot keepe counsell.
18 Doe no secret thing before a stranger, for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.
19 Open not thine heart to euery man, least he requite thee with a shrewd turne.