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 27,1-30
Chapter XXVII.
1 Of sinnes in selling and buying. 7 Our speach will tell what is in vs. 16 A friend is lost by discouering his secrets. 25 Hee that diggeth a pit shall fall into it.
1 [ Pro_28:21.] Many haue sinned for [ Or, a thing indifferent.] a smal matter: & he that seeketh for abundance will turne his eies away.
2 [ Pro_23:4; 1Ti_6:9.] As a naile sticketh fast betweene the ioynings of the stones: so doth sinne sticke close betweene buying and selling.
3 Unlesse a man hold himselfe diligently in the feare of the Lord, his house shall soone be ouerthrowen.
4 As when one sifteth with a sieue, the refuse remaineth, so the filth of man in his [ Or, thought.] talke.
5 The furnace prooueth the potters vessell: so the [ Pro_27:21.] triall of man is in his reasoning.
6 [ Mat_7:17.] The fruite declareth if the tree haue beene dressed: so is the vtterance of a conceit in the heart of man.
7 Praise no man before thou hearest him speake, for this is the triall of men.
8 If thou followest righteousnesse, thou shalt obtaine her, and put her on, as a glorious long robe.
9 The birds will resort vnto their like, so will truth returne vnto them that practise in her.
10 As the Lyon lieth in waite for the pray: so sinne for them that worke iniquity.
11 The discourse of a godly man is alwaies with wisedome: but a foole changeth as the Moone.
12 If thou be among the vndiscreet, obserue the time: but be continually among men of vnderstanding.
13 The discourse of fooles is irksome, and their sport is in the wantonnesse of sinne.
14 The talke of him that sweareth much, maketh the haire stand vpright: and their braules make one stop his eares.
15 The strife of the proud is blood-shedding, and their reuilings are grieuous to the eare.
16 Who so discouereth secrets, looseth his credit: and shall neuer find friend to his minde.
17 Loue thy friend, and be faithfull vnto him: but if thou bewrayest his secrets, follow no more after him.
18 For as a man hath destroyed his enemie: so hast thou lost the loue of thy neighbour.
19 As one that letteth a bird goe out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour goe; and shalt not get him againe.
20 Follow after him no more, for he is too far off, he is as a roe escaped out of the snare.
21 As for a wound it may be bound vp, and after reuiling there may be reconcilement: but he that bewrayeth secrets is without hope.
22 He [ Pro_10:10.] that winketh with the eies worketh euil, and he that knoweth him will depart from him.
23 When thou art present he will speake sweetly, and will admire thy words: but at the last he will [ Or, alter his speach.] writhe his mouth, and slander thy sayings.
24 I haue hated many things, but nothing like him, for the Lord will hate him.
25 Who so casteth a stone on high, casteth it on his owne head, and a deceitfull stroke shall make wounds.
26 Who so diggeth a [ Psa_7:15; Pro_26:27; Ecc_8:10.] pit shall fall therein: and he that setteth a trap shall be taken therein.
27 He that worketh mischiefe, it shall fall vpon him, and he shall not know whence it commeth.
28 Mockery and reproach are from the proud: but [ Deu_32:35; Rom_12:19.] vengeance as a Lyon shall lie in waite for them.
29 They that reioyce at the fall of the righteous shalbe taken in the snare, and anguish shall consume them before they die.
30 Malice and wrath, euen these are abhominations, and the sinfull man shall haue them both.