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 44,1-22
Chapter XLIIII.
1 The praise of certaine holy men: 16 Of Enoch, 17 Noah, 19 Abraham, 22 Isaac, 23 and Iacob.
1 Let vs now praise famous men, and our Fathers that begat vs. [ The praise of the fathers.]
2 The Lorde hath wrought great glory by them, through his great power from the beginning.
3 Such as did beare rule in their kingdomes, men renowmed for their power, giuing counsell by their vnderstanding, and declaring prophecies:
4 Leaders of the people by their
counsels, and learning meet for the people, wise and eloquent in their instructions.
5 Such as found out musical tunes, and reiected [ Or, ditties.] verses in writing.
6 Rich men furnished with abilitie, liuing peaceably in their habitations.
7 All these were honoured in their generations, and were the glory of their times.
8 There be of them, that haue left a name behind them, that their praises might be reported.
9 And some there be, which haue no memorial, [ Gen_7:22.] who are perished as though they had neuer bene, and are become as though they had neuer bene borne, and their children after them.
10 But these were mercifull men, whose righteousnesse hath not beene forgotten.
11 With their seed shall continually remaine a good inheritance, and their children are within the couenant.
12 Their seed stands fast, and their children [ Or, after them.] for their sakes.
13 Their seed shall remaine for euer, and their glory shall not be blotted out.
14 Their bodies are buried in peace, but their name liueth for euermore.
15 [ Sirach 39.10.] The people will tell of their wisdome, and the congregation will shew forth their praise.
16 [ Gen_5:24 Heb_11:5.] Enoch pleased the Lord, and was translated, being an example of repentance, to all generations.
17 [ Gen_6:9; Gen_7:1; Heb_11:7.] Noah was found perfect and righteous, in the time of wrath, he was taken in exchange (for the world) therefore was he left as a remnant vnto the earth, when the flood came.
18 An [ Gen_9:11.] euerlasting Couenant was made with him, that all flesh should perish no more by the flood.
19 Abraham was a [ Gen_12:3; Gen_15:5; Gen_17:4.] great father of many people: in glory was there none like vnto him:
20 Who kept the Law of the most High, and was in couenant with him, hee established the Couenant in [ Gen_21:4.] his flesh, and when he was proued, he was found faithfull.
21 Therefore he assured him by an [ Gen_22:16-18; Gal_3:8.] othe, that he would blesse the nations in his seed, and that he would multiply him, as the dust of the earth, and exalt his seed as the starres, and cause them to inherit from Sea to Sea, & from the riuer vnto the vtmost part of the land.
22 With [ Gen_27:28; Gen_28:14.] Isaac did he establish likewise [for Abraham his fathers sake.] the blessing of all men and the couenant,
23 And made it rest vpon the head of Iacob. Hee acknowledged him in his blessing, and gaue him an heritage, and diuided his portions, among the twelue tribes did he part them.