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 16,1-30
Chapter XVI.
1 It is better to haue none then many lewd children. 6 The wicked are not spared for their number. 12 Both the wrath and the mercy of the Lord are great. 17 The wicked cannot be hid. 20 Gods workes are vnsearchable.
1 Desire not a multitude of vnprofitable children, neither delight in vngodly sonnes.
2 Though they multiply, reioyce not in them, except the feare of the Lord be with them.
3 Trust not thou in their life, neither respect their multitude: for one that is iust, is better then a thousand, and better it is to die without children, then to haue them that are vngodly.
4 For by one that hath vnderstanding, shall the city be replenished, but the [ Or, tribe.] kindred of the wicked, shall speedily become desolate.
5 Many such things haue I seene with mine eyes, and mine eare hath heard greater things then these.
6 [ Sirach 21.10.] In the congregation of the vngodly, shall a fire be kindled, and in a rebellious nation, wrath [ Or, hath bene.] is set on fire.
7 [ Gen_6:4.] Hee was not pacified towards the olde giants, who fell away in the strength of their foolishnesse.
8 [ Gen_19:24.] Neither spared he the place where Lot soiourned, but abhorred them for their pride.
9 Hee pitied not the people of perdition, who were taken away in their sinnes.
10 [ Num_14:15; Num_16:20; Num_20:51.] Nor the sixe hundreth thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardnesse of their hearts.
11 And if there be one stiffe-necked among the people, it is marueile, if he escape vnpunished; for [ Sirach 5.6.] mercy and wrath are with him, hee is mighty to forgiue, and to powre out displeasure.
12 As his mercy is great, so is his correction also: he iudgeth a man according to his workes.
13 The sinner shall not escape with his spoiles, and the patience of the godly shall not be frustrate.
14 Make way for euery worke of mercy: for euery man shall finde according to his workes.
15 The Lord hardened Pharaoh, that hee should not know him, that his powerfull workes might be knowen to the world.
16 His mercy is manifest to euery creature, and hee hath separated his light from the darkenesse with an [ Or, strong partition.] Adamant.
17 Say not thou, I will hide my selfe from the Lord: shall any remember me from aboue? I shall not be remembred among so many people: for what is my soule among such an infinite number of creatures?
18 [ 1Ki_8:17; 2Ch_6:18; 2Pe_3:10.] Behold, the heauen, and the heauen of heauens, the deepe and the earth, and all that therein is, shall be mooued when he shall visit.
19 The mountaines also, and foundations of the earth shall bee shaken with trembling, when the Lord looketh vpon them.
20 No heart can thinke vpon these things worthily: and who is able to conceiue his wayes?
21 It is a tempest, which no man can see: for the most part of his workes are hidde.
22 Who can declare the workes of his iustice? or who can endure them? for his Couenant is afarre off, and the triall of all things is in the ende.
23 He that wanteth vnderstanding, will thinke vpon vaine things: and a foolish man erring, imagineth follies.
24 My sonne, hearken vnto mee, and learne knowledge, and marke my words with thy heart.
25 I will shewe foorth doctrine in weight, and declare his knowledge exactly.
26 The works of the Lord are done in iudgement from the beginning: and from the time he made them, hee disposed the parts thereof.
27 Hee garnished his workes for euer, and in his hand are the [ Or, beginnings.] chiefe of them vnto all generations: they neither labour, nor are weary, nor cease from their workes.
28 None of them hindreth another, and they shall neuer disobey his word.
29 After this, the Lord looked vpon the earth, and filled it with his blessings.
30 With all maner of liuing things hath hee couered the face thereof, and they shall returne into it againe.