Sirach 1

NEW JERUSALEM	KING JAMES BIBLE
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 cometh from the Lord, and is with him for ever.
2 The sands of the sea, the drops of rain, the days of eternity -- who can count them?	2 Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of eternity?
3 The height of the sky, the breadth of the earth, the depth of the abyss -- who can explore them?	3 Who can find out the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the deep, and wisdom?
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 most 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? or who hath known her wise counsels?
7	7 [Unto whom hath the knowledge of wisdom been made manifest? and who hath understood her great experience?]
8 One only is wise, terrible indeed,	8 There is one wise and greatly to be feared, the Lord sitting upon his throne.
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, and saw her, and numbered her, and poured her out upon all his works.
10 as much to each living creature as he chose -- bestowing her on those who love him.	10 She is with all flesh according to his gift, and he 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 rejoicing.
12 The fear of the Lord gladdens the heart, giving happiness, joy and long life.	12 The fear of the Lord maketh a merry heart, and giveth joy, and gladness, and a long life.
13 For those who fear the Lord, all wil end wel : on their dying day they wil be blessed.	13 Whoso feareth the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last, and he shall find favour in the day of his death.
14 The basis of wisdom is to fear the Lord; she was created with the faithful in their mothers' womb;	14 To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and it was created with the faithful in the womb.
15 she has made a home in the human race, an age -- old foundation, and to their descendants wil shefaithful y cling.	15 She hath built an everlasting foundation with men, and she shall continue with their seed.
16 The ful ness of wisdom is to fear the Lord; she intoxicates them with her fruits;	16 To fear the Lord is fulness of wisdom, and filleth men with her fruits.
17 she fil s their entire house with treasures and their storerooms with her produce.	17 She filleth all their house with things desirable, and the garners with her increase.
18 The crown of wisdom is to fear the Lord: she makes peace and health flourish.	18 The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish; both which are the gifts of God: and it enlargeth their rejoicing that love him.
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 Wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of understanding standing, and exalteth them to honour that hold her fast.
20 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and her branches are long life.	20 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and the branches thereof are long life.
21	21 The fear of the Lord driveth away sins: and where it is present, it turneth away wrath.
22 The rage of the wicked cannot put him in the right, for the weight of his rage is his downfal .	22 A furious man cannot be justified; for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction.
23 A patient person puts up with things until the right time comes: but his joy wil break out in the end.	23 A patient man will tear for a time, and afterward joy shall spring up unto him.
24 Til the time comes he keeps his thoughts to himself, and many a lip will affirm how wise he is.	24 He will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.
25 Wisdom's treasuries contain the maxims of knowledge, the sinner, however, holds piety in abhorrence.	25 The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of wisdom: but godliness is an abomination to a sinner.
26 If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord will bestow it on you.	26 If thou desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord shall give her unto thee.
27 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction, and what pleases him is faithfulness and gentleness.	27 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction: and faith and meekness are his delight.
28 Do not stand out against fear of the Lord, do not practise it with a double heart.	28 Distrust not the fear of the Lord when thou art poor: and come not unto him with a double heart.
29 Do not act a part in public, keep watch over your lips.	29 Be not an hypocrite in the sight of men, and take good heed what thou speakest.
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 Exalt not thyself, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul, and so God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation, because thou camest not in truth to the fear of the Lord, but thy heart is full of deceit.