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 28,1-26
Chapter XXVIII.
1 Against reuenge. 8 Quarrelling, 10 Anger, 15 And backbiting.
1 He that reuengeth shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keepe his sinnes (in remembrance.)
2 Forgiue thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done vnto thee, so shall thy sinnes also be forgiuen when thou prayest.
3 One man beareth hatred against
another, and doeth he seeke pardon from the Lord?
4 Hee sheweth no mercy to a man, which is like himselfe: and doeth hee aske forgiuenesse of his owne sinnes?
5 If he that is but flesh nourish hatred, who will intreat for pardon of his sinnes?
6 Remember thy end, and let enimitie cease, [remember.] corruption and death, and abide in the Commandements.
7 Remember the Commaundements, & beare no malice to thy neighbour: [remember.] the Couenant of the highest, and winke at ignorance.
8 [ Sirach 8.1.] Abstaine from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sinnes: for a furious man will kindle strife.
9 A sinfull man disquieteth friends, and maketh debate among them that be at peace.
10 [ Pro_26:21.] As the matter of the fire is, so it burneth: and as a mans strength is, so is his wrath, and according to his riches his anger riseth, and the stronger they are which contend, the more they will be inflamed.
11 An hastie contention kindleth a fire, and an hasty fighting sheddeth blood.
12 If thou blow the sparke, it shall burne: if thou spit vpon it, it shall bee quenched, and both these come out of thy mouth.
13 [ Sirach 21.28.] Curse the whisperer, and double tongued: for such haue destroyed many that were at peace.
14 A backbiting tongue hath disquieted many, and driuen them from nation to nation, strong cities hath it pulled down, and ouerthrowen the houses of great men.
15 A [ Or, third.] backbiting tongue hath cast out vertuous women, and depriued them of their labours.
16 Who so hearkeneth vnto it, shall neuer finde rest, and neuer dwel quietly.
17 The stroke of the whip maketh markes in the flesh, but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones.
18 Many haue fallen by the edge of the sword: but not so many as haue fallen by the tongue.
19 Well is hee that is defended from it, and hath not passed through the venime thereof: who hath not drawen the yoke thereof, nor hath bene bound in her bands.
20 For the yoke thereof is a yoke of yron, and the bands thereof are bandes of brasse.
21 The death therof is an euil death, the graue were better then it.
22 It shall not haue rule ouer them that feare God, neither shall they be burnt with the flame thereof.
23 Such as forsake the Lord shall fall into it, and it shall burne in them, and not be quenched, it shalbe sent vpon them as a Lion, and deuoure them as a Leopard.
24 Looke that thou hedge thy possession about with thornes, and binde vp thy siluer and gold:
25 And weigh thy words in a ballance, and make a doore and barre for thy mouth.
26 Beware thou slide not by it, lest thou fall before him that lieth in wait.