Sirach 1

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN 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 comes from the LORD and with him it remains forever.
2 The sands of the sea, the drops of rain, the days of eternity -- who can count them?	2 The sand of the seashore, the drops of rain, the days of eternity: who can number these?
3 The height of the sky, the breadth of the earth, the depth of the abyss -- who can explore them?	3 Heaven's height, earth's breadth, the depths of the abyss: who can explore these?
4 Wisdom was created before everything, prudent understanding subsists from remotest ages.	4 Before all things else wisdom was created; and prudent understanding, from eternity.
5	5 To whom has wisdom's root been revealed? Who knows her subtleties?
6 For whom has the root of wisdom ever been uncovered? Her resourceful ways, who knows them?	6 There is but one, wise and truly awe-inspiring, seated upon his throne:
7	7 It is the LORD; he created her, has seen her and taken note of her.
8 One only is wise, terrible indeed,	8 He has poured her forth upon all his works, upon every living thing according to his bounty; he has lavished her upon his friends.
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 Fear of the LORD is glory and splendor, gladness and a festive crown.
10 as much to each living creature as he chose -- bestowing her on those who love him.	10 Fear of the LORD warms the heart, giving gladness and joy and length of days.
11 The fear of the Lord is glory and pride, happiness and a crown of joyfulness.	11 He who fears the LORD will have a happy end; even on the day of his death he will be blessed.
12 The fear of the Lord gladdens the heart, giving happiness, joy and long life.	12 The beginning of wisdom is fear of the LORD, which is formed with the faithful in the womb.
13 For those who fear the Lord, all wil end wel : on their dying day they wil be blessed.	13 With devoted men was she created from of old, and with their children her beneficence abides.
14 The basis of wisdom is to fear the Lord; she was created with the faithful in their mothers' womb;	14 Fullness of wisdom is fear of the LORD; she inebriates men with her fruits.
15 she has made a home in the human race, an age -- old foundation, and to their descendants wil shefaithful y cling.	15 Her entire house she fills with choice foods, her granaries with her harvest.
16 The ful ness of wisdom is to fear the Lord; she intoxicates them with her fruits;	16 Wisdom's garland is fear of the LORD, with blossoms of peace and perfect health.
17 she fil s their entire house with treasures and their storerooms with her produce.	17 Knowledge and full understanding she showers down; she heightens the glory of those who possess her.
18 The crown of wisdom is to fear the Lord: she makes peace and health flourish.	18 The root of wisdom is fear of the LORD; her branches are length of days.
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 One cannot justify unjust anger; anger plunges a man to his downfall.
20 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and her branches are long life.	20 A patient man need stand firm but for a time, and then contentment comes back to him.
21	21 For a while he holds back his words, then the lips of many herald his wisdom.
22 The rage of the wicked cannot put him in the right, for the weight of his rage is his downfal .	22 Among wisdom's treasures is the paragon of prudence; but fear of the LORD is an abomination to the sinner.
23 A patient person puts up with things until the right time comes: but his joy wil break out in the end.	23 If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the LORD will bestow her upon you;
24 Til the time comes he keeps his thoughts to himself, and many a lip will affirm how wise he is.	24 For fear of the LORD is wisdom and culture; loyal humility is his delight.
25 Wisdom's treasuries contain the maxims of knowledge, the sinner, however, holds piety in abhorrence.	25 Be not faithless to the fear of the LORD, nor approach it with duplicity of heart.
26 If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord will bestow it on you.	26 Play not the hypocrite before men; over your lips keep watch.
27 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction, and what pleases him is faithfulness and gentleness.	27 Exalt not yourself lest you fall and bring upon you dishonor;
28 Do not stand out against fear of the Lord, do not practise it with a double heart.	28 For then the LORD will reveal your secrets and publicly cast you down,
29 Do not act a part in public, keep watch over your lips.	29 Because you approached the fear of the LORD with your heart full of guile.
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.