Sirach 1

NEW JERUSALEM	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 [The Law, the Prophets,and the other writers succeeding them have passed on to us great lessons,inconsequence of which Israel must be commended for learning and wisdom. Furthermore, it is a duty, not only toacquire learning by reading,but also, once having acquired it, to make oneself of use to people outsideby whatone can say or write. My grandfather Jesus, having long devoted himself to the readingof the Law,theProphetsand other books of the Fathersand having become very learned in them,himself decided to writesomething on the subjects of learning and wisdom,so that people who wanted to learn might, by themselvesaccepting these disciplines,learn how better to live according to the Law.You are therefore askedto read thisbookwith good wil and attentionand to show indulgencein those places where, notwithstanding our efforts atinterpretation, we may seemto have failed to give an adequate rendering of this or that expression;the fact is thatthere is no equivalentfor things original y written in Hebrew when it is a question of translating them into anotherlanguage;what is more,the Law itself, the Prophetsand the other booksdiffer considerably in translation fromwhat appears in the original text. It was in the thirty-eighth year of the late King Euergetesthat, coming to Egyptand spending some time here,and finding life here consistent with a high degree of wisdom,I became convincedof an immediate duty to apply myself in my turn with pains and diligence to the translation of the book thatfol ows;and I spent much time and learning on itin the course of this period,to complete the work and to publishthe bookfor the benefit of those too who, domiciled abroad, wish to study,to reform their behaviour, and to live asthe Law requires.] All wisdom comes from the Lord, she is with him for ever.	1 All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him, and is before all time.
2 The sands of the sea, the drops of rain, the days of eternity -- who can count them?	2 Who hath numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of the world? Who hath measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss?
3 The height of the sky, the breadth of the earth, the depth of the abyss -- who can explore them?	3 Who hath searched out the wisdom of God that goeth before all things?
4 Wisdom was created before everything, prudent understanding subsists from remotest ages.	4 Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.
5	5 The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdom, and her ways are everlasting commandments.
6 For whom has the root of wisdom ever been uncovered? Her resourceful ways, who knows them?	6 To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed, and who hath known her wise counsels?
7	7 To whom hath the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made manifest? and who hath understood the multiplicity of her steps?
8 One only is wise, terrible indeed,	8 There is one most high Creator Almighty, and a powerful king, and greatly to be feared, who sitteth upon his throne, and is the God of dominion.
9 seated on his throne, the Lord. It was he who created, inspected and weighed her up, and then pouredher out on al his works-	9 He created her in the Holy Ghost, and saw her, and numbered her, and measured her.
10 as much to each living creature as he chose -- bestowing her on those who love him.	10 And he poured her out upon all his works, and upon all flesh according to his gift, and hath given her to them that love him.
11 The fear of the Lord is glory and pride, happiness and a crown of joyfulness.	11 The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of joy.
12 The fear of the Lord gladdens the heart, giving happiness, joy and long life.	12 The fear of the Lord shall delight the heart, and shall give joy, and gladness, and length of days.
13 For those who fear the Lord, all wil end wel : on their dying day they wil be blessed.	13 With him that feareth the Lord, it shall go well in the latter end, and in the day of his death he shall be blessed.
14 The basis of wisdom is to fear the Lord; she was created with the faithful in their mothers' womb;	14 The love of God is honourable wisdom.
15 she has made a home in the human race, an age -- old foundation, and to their descendants wil shefaithful y cling.	15 Ana they to whom she shall shew herself love her by the sight, and by the knowledge of her great works.
16 The ful ness of wisdom is to fear the Lord; she intoxicates them with her fruits;	16 The fear of the Lord Is the beginning of wisdom, and was created with the faithful in the womb, it walketh with chosen women, and is known with the just and faithful.
17 she fil s their entire house with treasures and their storerooms with her produce.	17 The fear of the Lord is the religiousness of knowledge.
18 The crown of wisdom is to fear the Lord: she makes peace and health flourish.	18 Religiousness shall keep and justify the heart, it shall give joy and gladness.
19 The Lord has seen and assessed her, he has showered down knowledge and intelligence, he hasexalted the renown of those who possess her.	19 It shall go well with him that feareth the Lord, and in the days of his end he shall be blessed.
20 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and her branches are long life.	20 To fear God is the fulness of wisdom, and fulness is from the fruits thereof.
21	21 She shall fill all her house with her increase, and the storehouses with her treasures.
22 The rage of the wicked cannot put him in the right, for the weight of his rage is his downfal .	22 The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, filling up peace and the fruit of salvation:
23 A patient person puts up with things until the right time comes: but his joy wil break out in the end.	23 And it hath seen, and numbered her: but both are the gifts of God.
24 Til the time comes he keeps his thoughts to himself, and many a lip will affirm how wise he is.	24 Wisdom shall distribute knowledge, and understanding of prudence: and exalteth the glory of them that hold her.
25 Wisdom's treasuries contain the maxims of knowledge, the sinner, however, holds piety in abhorrence.	25 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord: and the branches thereof are longlived.
26 If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord will bestow it on you.	26 In the treasures of wisdom is understanding, and religiousness of knowledge: but to sinners wisdom is an abomination.
27 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction, and what pleases him is faithfulness and gentleness.	27 The fear of the Lord driveth out sin:
28 Do not stand out against fear of the Lord, do not practise it with a double heart.	28 For he that is without fear, cannot be justified: for the wrath of his high spirits is his ruin.
29 Do not act a part in public, keep watch over your lips.	29 A patient man shall bear for a time, and afterwards joy shall be restored to him.
30 Do not grow too high and mighty, for fear you fal and cover yourself in disgrace; for the Lord wouldthen reveal your secrets and overthrow you before the whole community for not having practised fear of the Lordand for having a heart ful of deceit.	30 A good understanding will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.
	31 In the treasures of wisdom is the signification of discipline:
	32 But the worship of God is an abomination to a sinner.
	33 Son, if thou desire wisdom, keep justice, and God will give her to thee.
	34 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline: and that which is agreeable to him,
	35 Is faith, and meekness: and he will fill up his treasures.
	36 Be not incredulous to the fear of the Lord: and come not to him with a double heart.
	37 Be not a hypocrite in the sight of men, and let not thy lips be a stumblingblock to thee.
	38 Watch over them, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul,
	39 And God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation.
	40 Because thou camest to the Lord wickedly, and thy heart is full of guile and deceit.