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 30,1-25
Chapter XXX.
1 It is good to correct our children, 7 and not to cocker them. 14 Health is better then wealth. 22 Health and life are shortened by griefe.
1 Hee [ Pro_13:24; Pro_23:13.] that loueth his sonne, causeth him oft to feele the rodde, that hee may haue ioy of him in the end. [ Of children.]
2 He that chastiseth his sonne, shall haue [ Or, good by him.] ioy in him, and shall reioyce of him among his [ Or, kinsefolke.] acquaintance.
3 [ Deu_6:7.] He that teacheth his sonne, grieueth the enemie: and before his friends he shall reioyce of him.
4 Though his father die, yet he is as though hee were not dead: for hee hath left one behinde him that is like himselfe.
5 While he liued, he [ Psa_128:] saw and reioyced in him: and when he died hee was not sorrowfull.
6 He left behinde him an auenger against his enemies, and one that shall requite kindnesse to his friends.
7 He that maketh too much of his sonne, shall binde vp his wounds, and his bowels wil be troubled at euery cry.
8 An horse not broken becommeth headstrong: and a childe left to himselfe will be wilfull.
9 Cocker thy childe, and hee shall make thee [ Or, astonished.] afraid: play with him, and he will bring thee to heauinesse.
10 Laugh not with him, lest thou haue sorrow with him, and lest thou gnash thy teeth in the end.
11 [ Sirach 7.23.] Giue him no liberty in his youth, and winke not at his follies.
12 Bow downe his necke while hee is young, and beate him on the sides while he is a childe, lest hee waxe stubborne, and be disobedient vnto thee, and so bring sorrow to thine heart.
13 Chastise thy sonne, and hold him to labour, lest his lewd behauiour be an offence vnto thee.
14 Better is the poore being sound and strong of constitution, then a rich man that is afflicted in his body. [ Of health.]
15 Health and good state of body are aboue all gold, and a strong body aboue infinite wealth.
16 There is no riches aboue a sound body, and no ioy aboue the ioy of the heart.
17 Death is better then a bitter life, or continuall sickenesse.
18 Delicates powred vpon a mouth shut vp, are as messes of meat set vpon a graue.
19 What good doth the offering vnto an idole? for neither can it eat nor smell: so is he that is [ Or, afflicted.] persecuted of the Lord.
20 Hee seeth with his eyes and groneth, as an Eunuch that embraceth a virgine, and sigheth.
21 [ Pro_12:25; Pro_15:13; Pro_17:22.] Giue not ouer thy mind to heauinesse, and afflict not thy selfe in thine owne counsell.
22 The gladnesse of the heart is the life of man, and the [ Or, exultation.] ioyfulnes of a man prolongeth his dayes.
23 Loue thine owne soule, and comfort thy heart, remoue sorrow far from thee: for sorrow hath killed many, and there is no profit therein.
24 Enuie and wrath shorten the life, and carefulnesse bringeth age before the time.
25 [ Or, a noble.] A cherefull and good heart will haue a care of his meat and diet.