i THE WISDOM OF JESUS THE SON OF SIRACH, OR ECCLESIASTICUS TheWisdomofJesustheSonofSirach,alsocalled Ecclesiasticus, is recognized as Deuterocanonical ScripturebytheRomanCatholic,GreekOrthodox, andRussianOrthodoxChurches. The Prologue of the Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach. WHEREAS many and great things have been delivered to us by the law and the prophets, and bytheothersthathavefollowedintheirsteps,for which we must give Israel the praise for instruc- tion and wisdom; and since not only the readers needtobecomeskillfulthemselves,butalsothose who love learning must be able to profit those who are outside, both by speaking and writing; mygrandfatherJesus,havingmuchgivenhimself to the reading of the law, and the prophets, and theotherbooksofourfathers,andhavinggained great familiarity with them, was also drawn on himself to write somewhat pertaining to instruc- tion and wisdom, in order that those who love learning, and are devoted to these things, might make progress much more by living according to thelaw. Youareentreatedthereforetoreadwith favor and attention, and to pardon us, if in any parts of what we have labored to interpret, we mayseemtofailinsomeofthephrases. Forthings Sirach1:1 ii Sirach1:5 originallyspokeninHebrewdon’thavethesame force in them when they are translated into an- otherlanguage. Notonlythese, butthelawitself, andtheprophecies,andtherestofthebooks,have nosmalldifference,whentheyarespokenintheir original language. For having come into Egypt in the thirty-eighth year of Energetes the king, and havingcontinuedtheresometime,Ifoundacopy givingnosmallinstruction. Ithoughtittherefore most necessary for me to apply some diligence andtravailtotranslatethisbook,applyingindeed muchwatchfulnessandskillinthatspaceoftime to bring the book to an end and publish for them also, who in the land of their travels are desiring tolearn,preparingtheircharacterinadvance,so astoliveaccordingtothelaw. 1 1AllwisdomcomesfromtheLord, andiswithhimforever. 2Whocancountthesandoftheseas, thedropsofrain, andthedaysofeternity? 3Whowillsearchouttheheightofthesky, thebreadthoftheearth,thedeep, andwisdom? 4Wisdomhasbeencreatedbeforeallthings, and the understanding of prudence from ev- erlasting. 5* * 1:5 Verse 5 is omitted by the best authorities: The source of wisdomisGod’swordinthehighestheaven,andherwaysarethe eternalcommandments. Sirach1:6 iii Sirach1:18 6Towhomhastherootofwisdombeenrevealed? Whohasknownhershrewdcounsels? 7† 8Thereisonewise,greatlytobefeared, sittinguponhisthrone: theLord. 9Hecreatedher. Hesawandmeasuredher. Hepouredheroutuponallhisworks. 10Sheiswithallfleshaccordingtohisgift. Hegaveherfreelytothosewholovehim. 11ThefearoftheLordisglory,exultation, gladness,andacrownofrejoicing. 12ThefearoftheLordwilldelighttheheart, andwillgivegladness,joy,andlengthofdays. 13WhoeverfearstheLord,itwillgowellwithhim atthelast. Hewillbeblessedinthedayofhisdeath. 14TofeartheLordisthebeginningofwisdom. Itwascreatedtogetherwiththefaithfulinthe womb. 15She‡laidaneternalfoundationwithmen. Shewillbetrustedamongtheiroffspring. 16TofeartheLordisthefullnessofwisdom. Sheinebriatesmenwithherfruits. 17Shewillfillallherhousewithdesirablethings, andherstorehouseswithherproduce. 18ThefearoftheLordisthecrownofwisdom, † 1:7 Verse 7 is omitted by the best authorities: To whom was theknowledgeofwisdommanifested? Whohasunderstoodher ‡ abundantexperience? 1:15 Gr.nested. Sirach1:19 iv Sirach1:29 making peace and§ perfect health to flour- ish.* 19Hebothsawandmeasuredher. He rained down skill and knowledge of un- derstanding, and exalted the honor of those who hold her fast. 20TofeartheLordistherootofwisdom. Herbranchesarelengthofdays. 21† 22Unjustwrathcanneverbejustified, forhiswrathtipsthescaletohisdownfall. 23Amanthatispatientwillresistforaseason, andafterwardgladnesswillspringuptohim. 24Hewillhidehiswordsuntiltherightmoment, and the lips of many will tell of his under- standing. 25Awisesayingisinthetreasuresofwisdom; butgodlinessisanabominationtoasinner. 26Ifyoudesirewisdom,keepthecommandments andtheLordwillgivehertoyoufreely; 27for the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruc- tion. Faithandhumilityarehisgoodpleasure. 28Don’tdisobeythefearoftheLord. Don’tcometohimwithadoubleheart. 29Don’tbeahypocriteinmen’ssight. § * 1:18 Gr. healthofcure. 1:18 Theremainderofthisverse isomittedbythebestauthorities: BotharegiftsofGodforpeace; gloryopensoutforthosewholovehim. Hesawherandtookher † measure. 1:21 Verse 21 is omitted by the best authorities: ThefearoftheLorddrivesawaysins.Whereitresides,itwillturn awayallanger. Sirach1:30 v Sirach2:9 Keepwatchoveryourlips. 30Don’texaltyourself, lest you fall and bring dishonor upon your soul. TheLordwillrevealyoursecrets and will cast you down in the midst of the congregation, because you didn’t come to the fear of the Lord andyourheartwasfullofdeceit. 2 1Myson,ifyoucometoservetheLord, prepareyoursoulfortemptation. 2Setyourheartaright,constantlyendure, anddon’tmakehasteintimeofcalamity. 3Clingtohim,anddon’tdepart, thatyoumaybeincreasedatyourlatterend. 4Acceptwhateverisbroughtuponyou, andbepatientwhenyousufferhumiliation. 5Forgoldistriedinthefire, andacceptablemeninthefurnaceofhumili- ation. 6Putyourtrustinhim,andhewillhelpyou. Make your ways straight, and set your hope onhim. 7AllyouwhofeartheLord,waitforhismercy. Don’tturnaside,lestyoufall. 8AllyouwhofeartheLord,putyourtrustinhim, andyourrewardwillnotfail. 9AllyouwhofeartheLord,hopeforgoodthings, andforeternalgladnessandmercy. Sirach2:10 vi Sirach3:1 10Lookatthegenerationsofold,andsee: Who ever put his trust in the Lord, and was ashamed? Or who remained in his fear, and was for- saken? Or who called upon him, and he neglected him? 11FortheLordisfullofcompassionandmercy. Heforgivessinsandsavesintimeofaffliction. 12Woetofearfulhearts,tofainthands, andtothesinnerwhogoestwoways! 13Woetothefaintheart! Foritdoesn’tbelieve. Thereforeitwon’tbedefended. 14Woetoyouwhohavelostyourpatience! AndwhatwillyoualldowhentheLordvisits you? 15 Those who fear the Lord will not disobey his words. Thosewholovehimwillkeephisways. 16 Those who fear the Lord will seek his good pleasure. Thosewholovehimwillbefilledwiththelaw. 17 Those who fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, andwillhumbletheirsoulsinhissight. 18WewillfallintothehandsoftheLord, andnotintothehandsofmen; forashismajestyis, soalsoishismercy. 3 1Hearme,yourfather,Omychildren, Sirach3:2 vii Sirach3:12 and do what you hear, that you all may be safe. 2FortheLordhonorsthefatheroverthechildren, and has confirmed the judgment of the motheroverhersons. 3He who honors his father will make atonement forsins. 4He who gives glory to his mother is as one wholaysuptreasure. 5Whoever honors his father will have joy in his ownchildren. Hewillbeheardinthedayofhisprayer. 6Hewhogivesglorytohisfatherwillhavelength ofdays. He who listens to the Lord will bring rest to hismother, 7*andwillserveunderhisparents,astomasters. 8Honoryourfatherindeedandword, thatablessingmaycomeuponyoufromhim. 9 For the blessing of the father establishes the housesofchildren, but the curse of the mother roots out the foundations. 10 Don’t glorify yourself in the dishonor of your father, foryourfather’sdishonorisnoglorytoyou. 11For the glory of a man is from the honor of his father, andamotherindishonorisareproachtoher children. 12Myson,helpyourfatherinhisoldage, * 3:7 SomemanuscriptsaddthosewhofeartheLordhonortheir father, Sirach3:13 viii Sirach3:23 anddon’tgrievehimaslongashelives. 13Ifhefailsinunderstanding,havepatiencewith him. Don’tdishonorhiminyourfullstrength. 14 For the kindness to your father will not be forgotten. Insteadofsinsitwillbeaddedtobuildyouup. 15 In the day of your affliction it will be remem- beredforyou, asfairweatheruponice, soyoursinswillalsomeltaway. 16Hewhoforsakeshisfatherisasablasphemer. Hewhoprovokeshismotheriscursedbythe Lord. 17Myson,goonwithyourbusinessinhumility; soyouwillbelovedbyanacceptableman. 18Thegreateryouare,humbleyourselfthemore, andyouwillfindfavorbeforetheLord. 19† 20ForthepoweroftheLordisgreat, andheisglorifiedbythosewhoarelowly. 21Don’tseekthingsthataretoohardforyou, and don’t search out things that are above yourstrength. 22 Think about the things that have been com- mandedyou, for you have no need of the things that are secret. 23 Don’t be overly busy in tasks that are beyond you, † 3:19 SomemanuscriptsaddManyareloftyandrenowned,but herevealshissecretstothehumble. Sirach3:24 ix Sirach4:2 for more things are shown to you than men canunderstand. 24Fortheconceitofmanyhasledthemastray. Evil opinion has caused their judgment to slip. 25‡Thereisnolightwithouteyes. Thereisnowisdomwithoutknowledge. 26Astubbornheartwilldobadlyattheend. Hewholovesdangerwillperishinit. 27 A stubborn heart will be burdened with trou- bles. Thesinnerwillheapsinuponsins. 28Thecalamityoftheproudhasnohealing, for a weed of wickedness has taken root in him. 29 The heart of the prudent will understand a proverb. Awisemandesirestheearofalistener. 30Waterwillquenchaflamingfire; almsgivingwillmakeatonementforsins. 31 He who repays good turns is mindful of that whichcomesafterward. Inthetimeofhisfallinghewillfindasupport. 4 1Myson,don’tdeprivethepoorofhisliving. Don’tmaketheneedyeyeswaitlong. 2Don’tmakeahungrysoulsorrowful, orprovokeamaninhisdistress. ‡ 3:25 Somemanuscriptsomitverse25. Sirach4:3 x Sirach4:15 3 Don’t add more trouble to a heart that is pro- voked. Don’tputoffgivingtohimwhoisinneed. 4Don’trejectasuppliantinhisaffliction. Don’tturnyourfaceawayfromapoorman. 5Don’tturnyoureyeawayfromonewhoasks. Givenooccasiontoamantocurseyou. 6Forifhecursesyouinthebitternessofhissoul, hewhomadehimwillhearhissupplication. 7Endearyourselftotheassembly. Bowyourheadtoagreatman. 8Inclineyoureartoapoorman. Answerhimwithpeacefulwordsinhumility. 9 Deliver him who is wronged from the hand of himwhowrongshim; Don’tbehesitantingivingjudgment. 10Beasafathertothefatherless, andlikeahusbandtotheirmother. SoyouwillbeasasonoftheMostHigh, and he will love you more than your mother does. 11Wisdomexaltshersons, andtakesholdofthosewhoseekher. 12Hewholovesherloveslife. Those who seek her early will be filled with gladness. 13Hewhoholdsherfastwillinheritglory. Where*heenters,theLordwillbless. 14ThosewhoserveherministertotheHolyOne. TheLordlovesthosewholoveher. 15Hewholistenstoherwilljudgethenations. * 4:13 Or,she