Sirach 1

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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 has always been 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 has numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of the rain, and the days of the world? Who has 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 has examined the wisdom of God, which precedes all things?
4 Wisdom was created before everything, prudent understanding subsists from remotest ages.	4 Wisdom was created before all things, and the understanding of prudence is before all time.
5	5 The Word of God on high is the source of wisdom, whose steps are eternal commandments.
6 For whom has the root of wisdom ever been uncovered? Her resourceful ways, who knows them?	6 To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed, and who has recognized her astuteness?
7	7 To whom has the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made manifest? And who has understood the multiplicity of her steps?
8 One only is wise, terrible indeed,	8 The most high omnipotent Creator is One, and he is the mighty King, and he is exceedingly to be feared, sitting upon his throne, and he is the sovereign God.
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 wisdom through the Holy Spirit, and he 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 over all his works, and over all flesh, to the extent of his favor, and he has offered her to those who 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 glory, and honor, and rejoicing, and a crown of exultation.
12 The fear of the Lord gladdens the heart, giving happiness, joy and long life.	12 The fear of the Lord will delight the heart, and will 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 It will be well, in the very end, for him who fears the Lord, and on the day that he passes away, he will 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 honorable wisdom.
15 she has made a home in the human race, an age -- old foundation, and to their descendants wil shefaithful y cling.	15 And those to whom she will appear for their consideration love her because of what they see and know 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, and walks with elect women, and is known by the just and the faithful.
17 she fil s their entire house with treasures and their storerooms with her produce.	17 The fear of the Lord is the sanctity of knowledge.
18 The crown of wisdom is to fear the Lord: she makes peace and health flourish.	18 Sanctity will guard and justify the heart, and will bestow happiness and joy.
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 will be well with him who fears the Lord, and at the consummation of his days, he will be blessed.
20 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and her branches are long life.	20 To fear God is the fullness of wisdom, and it is a fullness from its fruits.
21	21 She will fill her entire house from her offspring, and storehouses from 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 the crown of wisdom, the completion of 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 the fear of the Lord has seen and numbered wisdom; but both are 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 will distribute knowledge and an understanding of prudence; and she lifts up the glory of those who hold to 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 its branches are long-lived.
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 the sanctity 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 expels sin.
28 Do not stand out against fear of the Lord, do not practise it with a double heart.	28 For he who is without fear is not able to be justified. For the disposition of his spirit is his undoing.
29 Do not act a part in public, keep watch over your lips.	29 Those who are patient will suffer for a brief time, and afterwards, happiness will return.
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 noble mind will hide his words for a brief time, and then the lips of many will declare his understanding.
	31 Among the treasures of wisdom is the outward sign of discipline.
	32 But to those who sin, the worship of God is an abomination.
	33 Son, if you desire wisdom, observe justice, and then God will offer her to you.
	34 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline.
	35 And what pleases him is faith and meekness. And so shall he complete his treasures.
	36 You should not be incredulous to the fear of the Lord. And you should not draw close to him with a duplicitous heart.
	37 You should not be a hypocrite in the sight of men. And you should not scandalize with your lips.
	38 Attend to these things, otherwise you may fall and bring dishonor to your soul.
	39 And then God may uncover your secrets, and he may cast you down forcefully in the midst of the congregation.
	40 For you drew near to the Lord wickedly, and your heart was filled with deceit and falseness.