Sirach 1

NEW JERUSALEM	JERUSALEM
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 Toute sagesse vient du Seigneur, elle est près de lui à jamais.
2 The sands of the sea, the drops of rain, the days of eternity -- who can count them?	2 Le sable de la mer, les gouttes de la pluie, les jours de l'éternité, qui peut les dénombrer?
3 The height of the sky, the breadth of the earth, the depth of the abyss -- who can explore them?	3 La hauteur du ciel, l'étendue de la terre, la profondeur de l'abîme, qui peut les explorer?
4 Wisdom was created before everything, prudent understanding subsists from remotest ages.	4 Mais avant toutes choses fut créée la sagesse, l'intelligence prudente vient des temps les pluslointains.
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6 For whom has the root of wisdom ever been uncovered? Her resourceful ways, who knows them?	6 La racine de la sagesse, à qui fut-elle révélée? Ses ressources, qui les connaît?
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8 One only is wise, terrible indeed,	8 Il n'y a qu'un être sage, très redoutable quand il siège sur son trône:
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 c'est le Seigneur. C'est lui qui l'a créée, vue et dénombrée, qui l'a répandue sur toutes sesoeuvres,
10 as much to each living creature as he chose -- bestowing her on those who love him.	10 en toute chair selon sa largesse, et qui l'a distribuée à ceux qui l'aiment.
11 The fear of the Lord is glory and pride, happiness and a crown of joyfulness.	11 La crainte du Seigneur est gloire et fierté, gaîté et couronne d'allégresse.
12 The fear of the Lord gladdens the heart, giving happiness, joy and long life.	12 La crainte du Seigneur réjouit le coeur, donne gaîté, joie et longue vie.
13 For those who fear the Lord, all wil end wel : on their dying day they wil be blessed.	13 Pour qui craint le Seigneur, tout finira bien, au jour de sa mort il sera béni.
14 The basis of wisdom is to fear the Lord; she was created with the faithful in their mothers' womb;	14 Le principe de la sagesse, c'est de craindre le Seigneur; en même temps que les fidèles, elleest créée dès le sein maternel.
15 she has made a home in the human race, an age -- old foundation, and to their descendants wil shefaithful y cling.	15 Parmi les hommes, elle s'est fait un nid, fondation éternelle, et à leur race elle s'attacherafidèlement.
16 The ful ness of wisdom is to fear the Lord; she intoxicates them with her fruits;	16 La plénitude de la sagesse, c'est de craindre le Seigneur, elle les enivre de ses fruits;
17 she fil s their entire house with treasures and their storerooms with her produce.	17 elle remplit toute leur maison de trésors et de ses produits leurs greniers.
18 The crown of wisdom is to fear the Lord: she makes peace and health flourish.	18 Le couronnement de la sagesse, c'est la crainte du Seigneur, elle fait fleurir bien-être etsanté.
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 Le Seigneur l'a vue et dénombrée, il a fait pleuvoir la science et l'intelligence, il a exalté lagloire de ceux qui la possèdent.
20 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and her branches are long life.	20 La racine de la sagesse, c'est de craindre le Seigneur, et sa frondaison, c'est une longue vie.
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22 The rage of the wicked cannot put him in the right, for the weight of his rage is his downfal .	22 La passion du méchant ne saurait le justifier, car le poids de sa passion est sa ruine.
23 A patient person puts up with things until the right time comes: but his joy wil break out in the end.	23 L'homme patient tient bon jusqu'à son heure, mais à la fin, sa joie éclate.
24 Til the time comes he keeps his thoughts to himself, and many a lip will affirm how wise he is.	24 Jusqu'à son heure, il dissimule ses paroles, et tout le monde proclame son intelligence.
25 Wisdom's treasuries contain the maxims of knowledge, the sinner, however, holds piety in abhorrence.	25 Dans les trésors de la sagesse sont les maximes de la science, mais le pécheur a la piété enhorreur.
26 If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord will bestow it on you.	26 Convoites-tu la sagesse? Garde les commandements, le Seigneur te la prodiguera.
27 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction, and what pleases him is faithfulness and gentleness.	27 Car la crainte du Seigneur est sagesse et instruction, ce qu'il aime, c'est la fidélité et ladouceur.
28 Do not stand out against fear of the Lord, do not practise it with a double heart.	28 Ne sois pas indocile à la crainte du Seigneur, et ne la pratique pas avec un coeur double.
29 Do not act a part in public, keep watch over your lips.	29 Ne sois pas hypocrite devant le monde, et veille sur tes lèvres.
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 Ne t'élève pas, de peur de tomber et de te couvrir de honte, car le Seigneur révélerait tessecrets et, au milieu de l'assemblée, il te renverserait, parce que tu n'as pas pratiqué la crainte du Seigneur et queton coeur est plein de fraude.