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 47,1-25
Chapter XLVII.
1 The praise of Nathan, 2 Of Dauid, 12 Of Solomon his glory, and infirmities. 23 Of his end and punishment.
1 And after him rose vp Nathan to [ 2Sa_12:1.] prophesie in the time of Dauid.
2 As is the fat taken away from the peace offering, so was Dauid chosen out of the children of Israel.
3 Hee [ Or, he smote Lions.] played with Lions as with kids, and with [ 1Sa_17:34.] beares as with lambs.
4 [ 1Sa_17:49-51.] Slew he not a gyant when hee was yet but yong? and did he not take away reproch from the people, when he lifted vp his hand with the stone in the sling, and beat downe the boasting of Goliah?
5 For he called vpon the most high Lord, and he gaue him strength in his right hand to slay that mighty warriour, and set vp the horne of his people:
6 So the people honoured him with [ 1Sa_18:7.] ten thousands, and praised him in the blessings of the Lord, in that hee gaue him a crowne of glory.
7 For hee destroyed the enemies on euery side, and [ 2Sa_5:7.] brought to nought the Philistines his [ Or, contemned.] aduersaries, and brake their horne in sunder vnto this day.
8 In all his workes hee praised the holy one most High, with words of glory, with his whole heart he sung songs, and loued him that made him.
9 He set singers also before the [ 1Ch_16:4.] Altar, that by their voyces they might make sweet melody, and daily sing praises in their songs.
10 He beautified their feasts, and set in order the solemne times, [ Or, perfectly.] vntill the ende, that they might praise his holy Name, and that the Temple might sound from morning.
11 The Lord tooke away his sinnes, and exalted his [ 1Sa_12:13.] horne for euer: he gaue him a couenant of kings, and a throne [ Or, of a kingdome.] of glory in Israel.
12 After him rose vp a wise sonne, and for his sake he dwelt at large.
13 [ 1Ki_4:21; 1Ki_4:24.] Salomon reigned in a peaceable time, and was honoured; for God made all quiet round about him, that hee might build an house in his Name, and prepare his Sanctuary for euer.
14 [ 1Ki_4:29-30.] How wise wast thou in thy youth, & as a flood filled with vnderstanding.
15 Thy soule couered the whole earth, and thou filledst it with dark parables.
16 Thy name went farre vnto the Ilands, and for thy peace thou wast beloued.
17 The countreys marueiled at thee for thy [ 1Ki_4:31-32.] Songs, and Prouerbs, and Parables, and interpretations.
18 By the Name of the Lord God, which is called the Lord God of Israel, thou didst [ 1Ki_10:27.] gather gold as tinne,
and didst multiply siluer as lead.
19 [ 1Ki_11:1.] Thou didst bow thy loines vnto women, and [ Or, in.] by thy body thou wast brought into subiection.
20 Thou dist staine thy honour, and pollute thy seed, so that thou broughtest wrath vpon thy children, and wast grieued for thy folly.
21 [ 1Ki_12:15-17.] So the kingdome was diuided, and out of Ephraim ruled a rebellious kingdome.
22 [ 2Sa_7:15.] But the Lord will neuer leaue off his mercy, neither shall any of his workes perish, neither will hee abolish the posterity of his elect, and the seed of him that loueth him he will not take away: wherefore he gaue a remnant vnto Iacob, and out of him a roote vnto Dauid.
23 Thus rested Solomon with his fathers, and of his seede he left behinde him Roboam, euen the foolishnesse of the people, and one that had no vnderstanding; who [ 1Ki_12:10-11; 1Ki_12:13-14.] turned away the people through his counsell: there was also Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat, who [ 1Ki_12:28; 1Ki_12:30.] caused Israel to sinne, and shewed Ephraim the way of sinne:
24 And their sinnes were multiplied exceedingly, that they were driuen out of the land.
25 For they sought out all wickednes, till the vengeance came vpon them.