The Wisdom of Iesus the son of Sirach, called Ecclesiasticus
This argument was found in a certain Greek copy
This Iesus was the son of Sirach, and Sirach’s father was also called Iesus, and he lived in the latter times, after the people had been led away captive, and brought home again, and almost after all the Prophets. Now his grandfather, as he himself witnesses, was a man of great diligence, and wisdom among the Hebrews, who did not only gather the grave sentences of wise men, that had been before him, but he himself also spoke many full of great knowledge and wisdom. So this first Iesus died, and left this which he had gathered, and Sirach afterward left it to Iesus his son, who took it and put it in order in a book, and called it WISDOM, entitling it both by his own name, his father’s name, and his grandfathers: thinking by this title of Wisdom to allure the reader to read this book with more great desire, and to consider it more diligently. Therefore this book contains wise sayings, and dark sentences, and similitudes with certain divine histories which are notable and ancient, even of men that were approved of God, and certain prayers, and songs of the author himself: moreover, what benefits the Lord had bestowed upon his people, and what plagues she had heaped upon their enemies. This Iesus did imitate Salomon, and was no less famous in wisdom and doctrine, who was therefore called a man of great knowledge, as he was in deed.
The prologue of the Wisdom of Iesus the son of Sirach.
WHERE as many, and great things have been given us by the Law, and the Prophets, and by others that have followed them, (for the which things Israel ought to be commended by the reason of doctrine and wisdom, whereby the readers ought not only to become learned themselves, but also may be able by the diligent study thereof to be profitable unto strangers both by speaking and writing) after that my grandfather Iesus had given himself to the reading of the Law, and the Prophets, and other books of our fathers, and had gotten therein sufficient judgment, he purposed also to write some thing pertaining to learning and wisdom, to the intent that they which were desirous to learn, and would give themselves to these things, might profit much more in living according to the Law. Wherefore, I exhort you to receive it lovingly, and to read it with diligence, and to take it in good worth, though we seem to some in some things not able to attain to the interpretation of such words as are hard to be expressed: for the things that are spoken in the Hebrew tongue, have another force in themselves than when they are translated into another tongue, and not only these things, but other things also, as the Law itself, and the Prophets, and other books have no small difference when they are spoken in their own language. Therefore in the eight and thirtieth year, when I came into Egypt under King Euergettes, and continued there, I found a copy full of great learning, and I thought it necessary, to bestow my diligence, and travail to interpret this book. So far a certain time with great watching and study I gave myself to the finishing of this book, that it might be published, that they which remain in banishment, and are desirous to learn, might apply themselves unto good manners, and live according to the Law.
Ecclesiasticus 1
2 Wisdom comes of God. 11 A praise of the fear of God. 29 The means to come by wisdom.
ALL wisdom cometh of the Lord, [and hath been ever with him] and is with him forever.
Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of the rain, and the days of the world? [who can measure] the height of the heaven, the breadth of the earth, and the depth?
Who can find the wisdom [of God which hath been afore all things?]
Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.
[The word of God most high is the fountain of wisdom, and the everlasting commandments are the entrance unto her]
Unto whom hath the root of wisdom been declared? or who hath known her wise counsels?
[Unto whom hath the doctrine of wisdom been discovered and showed? and who hath understood the manifold entrance unto her?]
He hath poured out upon her [through the Holy Ghost:] he hath seen her, numbered her, [and measured her]
He hath poured her out upon all his works, and upon all flesh, according to his gift, and gives gladness, and joy and long life.
Whoso fears the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last, and he shall find favor in t eh day of his death.
[The love of God is honorable wisdom, and unto whom it appears in a vision, they love it for the vision, and for the knowledge of the great works thereof]
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and was made with the faithful in the womb: ]she goes with the chosen women, and is known with the righteous and faithful.
The fear of the Lord is an holy knowledge.
Holiness shall preserve, and justify every heart, and gives mirth and gladness.
Whoso fears the Lord, shall prosper, and in the day of his end, he shall be blessed]
She hath built her everlasting foundations with men, and is given to be with their seed.
To fear God is the fullness of wisdom, and fills men with her fruits.
She fills their whole house with [all] things desirable, and the garners with the things, that she brings forth, and both the two are gifts of God.
The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom, and gives peace, and perfect health: he hath seen her and numbered her.
She rains down knowledge, and understanding of wisdom, and has brought unto honor, them that possessed her.
The fear of the Lord is the root of wisdom, and her branches are long life.
[In the treasures of wisdom is understanding, and holy knowledge, but wisdom is abhorred of sinners.]
The fear of the Lord drives out sin: and when she is present, she drives away anger.
For wicked anger can not be justified: for his rashness in his anger shall be his destruction.
A patient man will suffer for a time, and then shall he have the reward of joy.
He will hide his word for a time, and many men’s lips shall speak of his wisdom.
In the treasures of wisdom and discipline: he hath pleasure in faith and meekness.
Be not disobedient to the fear of the Lord, and come not unto him with a double heart.
Be not an hypocrite that men should speak of thee, but take heed what thou speakest.
Exalt not thyself, lest thou fall and bring thy soul to dishonor, and so God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation, because thou would not receive the true fear of God, and thine heart is full of deceit.
Ecclesiasticus 2
1 He exhorts the servants of God to righteousness, love, understanding, and patience. 11 To trust in the Lord. 13 A curse upon them that are faint hearted and impatient.
MY son, if thou wilt come into the service of God, [stand fat in righteousness and fear, and] prepare thy soul to temptation.
Settle thine heart, and be patient: [bow down thine ear, and receive the words of understanding] and shrink not away, when thou art assailed, [but wait upon God patiently.]
Join thyself unto him, and depart not away, that thou may be increased at thy last end.
Whatsoever comes unto thee, receive it patiently, and be patient in the change of thine affliction.
For as gold [and silver are] tried in the fire, even so are men acceptable in the furnace of adversity.
Believe in God and he will help thee: order thy way aright, and trust in him [hold fast his fear, and grow old therein.]
Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy: shrink not away from him that ye fail not.
Ye that fear the Lord, believe him and your rewards shall not fail.
O ye that fear the Lord, trust in good things, and in the everlasting joy and mercy.
[Ye that fear the Lord, love him, and your hearts shall be lightened.]
Consider the old generations [of men, ye children,] and mark them well: was there ever any confounded, that put his trust in the Lord? or who hath continued in his fear, and was forsaken? or whom did he ever despise, that called upon him?
For God is gracious and merciful, and forgives sins and saves in the time of trouble, [and is a defender for all them that seek him in the truth.]
Woe unto them, that have a fearful heart, [and to the wicked lips] and to the faint hands, and to the sinner that goes two manner of ways.
Woe unto him that is faint hearted, for he believes not: therefore shall he not be defended.
Woe unto you that have lost patience, [and have forsaken the right ways, and are turned back into froward ways:] for what will ye do when the Lord shall visit you?
They that fear the Lord, will not disobey his word: and they that love him, will keep his ways.
They that fear the Lord, will seek out the things that are pleasant unto him: and they that love him, shall be fulfilled with his Law.
They that fear the Lord, will prepare their hearts, and humble their souls in his sight.
[They that fear the Lord, keep his commandments, and will be patient til he see them,
Saying, If we do not repent] we shall fall into the hands of the Lord, and not into the hands of men.
Yet as his greatness is, so is his mercy.
warriorprincess4yeshua.blog 