Parallel SIR Intro

The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, also called Ecclesiasticus, is recognised as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Russian Orthodox Churches.

The Prologue of the Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach.

WHEREAS many and great things have been delivered to us by the law and the prophets, and by the others that have followed in their steps, for which we must give Israel the praise for instruction and wisdom; and since not only the readers need to become skilful themselves, but also those who love learning must be able to profit those who are outside, both by speaking and writing; my grandfather Jesus, having much given himself to the reading of the law, and the prophets, and the other books of our fathers, and having gained great familiarity with them, was also drawn on himself to write somewhat pertaining to instruction and wisdom, in order that those who love learning, and are devoted to these things, might make progress much more by living according to the law. You are entreated therefore to read with favour and attention, and to pardon us, if in any parts of what we have laboured to interpret, we may seem to fail in some of the phrases. For things originally spoken in Hebrew don’t have the same force in them when they are translated into another language. Not only these, but the law itself, and the prophecies, and the rest of the books, have no small difference, when they are spoken in their original language. For having come into Egypt in the thirty-eighth year of Energetes the king, and having continued there some time, I found a copy giving no small instruction. I thought it therefore most necessary for me to apply some diligence and travail to translate this book, applying indeed much watchfulness and skill in that space of time to bring the book to an end and publish for them also, who in the land of their travels are desiring to learn, preparing their character in advance, so as to live according to the law.

¶ A Prologue made by an vncertaine Authour.

This Iesus was the sonne of Sirach, and grand-childe to Iesus of the same name with him; This man therefore liued in the latter times, after the people had bene led away captiue, and called home againe, and almost after all the Prophets. Now his grandfather Iesus (as he himselfe witnesseth) was a man of great diligence and wisedome among the Hebrewes, who did not onely gather the graue and short Sentences of wise men, that had bene before him, but himselfe also vttered some of his owne, full of much vnderstanding and wisedome. When as therefore the first Iesus died, leauing this booke almost perfected, Sirach his sonne receiuing it after him, left it to his owne sonne Iesus, who hauing gotten it into his hands, compiled it all orderly into one Volume, and called it Wisdome, Intituling it, both by his owne name, his fathers name, and his grandfathers, alluring the hearer by the very name of Wisedome, to haue a greater loue to the studie of this Booke. It conteineth therefore wise Sayings, darke Sentences, and Parables, and certaine particular ancient godly stories of men that pleased God. Also his Prayer and Song. Moreouer, what benefits God had vouchsafed his people, and what plagues he had heaped vpon their enemies. This Iesus did imitate Solomon, and was no lesse famous for Wisedome, and learning, both being indeed a man of great learning, and so reputed also.

¶ The Prologue of the Wisdome of Iesus the sonne of Sirach.

Whereas many and great things haue bene deliuered vnto vs by the Law and the Prophets, and by others that haue followed their steps, for the which things Israel ought to be commended for learning and Wisedome, and whereof not onely the Readers must needs become skilful themselues, but also they that desire to learne, be able to profit them which are without, both by speaking and writing : My grandfather Iesus, when he had much giuen himselfe to the reading of the Law, and the Prophets, and other Bookes of our fathers, and had gotten therein good iudgement, was drawen on also himselfe, to write something pertayning to learning and Wisedome, to the intent that those which are desirous to learne, and are addicted to these things, might profit much more in liuing according to the Law. Wherefore, let me intreat you to reade it with fauour and attention, and to pardon Vs, wherein wee may secme to come short of some words which we haue laboured to interprete. For the same things vttered in Hebrew, and translated into an other tongue, haue not the same force in them : and not onely these things, but the Law it selfe, and the Prophets, and the rest of the Bookes, haue no small difference, when they are spoken in their owne language. For in the eight and thirtieth yeere comming into Egypt, when Euergetes was King, and continuing there some time, I found a Booke of no small learning, therefore I thought it most necessary for mee, to bestow some diligence and trauaile to interprete it: Vsing great watchfulnesse, and skill in that space, to bring the Booke to an end, and set it foorth for them also, which in a strange countrey are willing to learne, being prepared before in maners to line after the Law.

¶ A Prologue made by an uncertain Authour.

This Yesus/Yeshua was the son of Sirach, and grand-child to Yesus/Yeshua of the same name with him; This man therefore lived in the latter times, after the people had been led away captive, and called home again, and almost after all the Prophets. Now his grandfather Yesus/Yeshua (as he himself witnesseth) was a man of great diligence and wisdom among the Hebrews, who did not only gather the grave and short Sentences of wise men, that had been before him, but himself also uttered some of his own, full of much understanding and wisdom. When as therefore the first Yesus/Yeshua died, leauing this book almost perfected, Sirach his son receiuing it after him, left it to his own son Yesus/Yeshua, who having gotten it into his hands, compiled it all orderly into one Volume, and called it Wisdome, Intituling it, both by his own name, his fathers name, and his grandfathers, alluring the hearr by the very name of Wisedome, to have a greater love to the studie of this Booke. It conteineth therefore wise Sayings, dark Sentences, and Parables, and certain particular ancient godly stories of men that pleased God. Also his Prayer and Song. Moreover/What's_more, what benefits God had vouchsafed his people, and what plagues he had heaped upon their enemies. This Yesus/Yeshua did imitate Solomon, and was no less famous for Wisedome, and learning, both being indeed a man of great learning, and so reputed also.

¶ The Prologue of the Wisdome of Yesus/Yeshua the son of Sirach.

Whereas many and great things have been delivered unto us by the Law and the Prophets, and by others that have followed their steps, for the which things Israel ought to be commended for learning and Wisedome, and whereof not only the Readers must needs become skilful themselves, but also they that desire to learne, be able to profit them which are without, both by speaking and writing : My grandfather Yesus/Yeshua, when he had much given himself to the reading of the Law, and the Prophets, and other Bookes of our fathers, and had gotten therein good judgement, was drawen on also himself, to write something pertayning to learning and Wisedome, to the intent that those which are desirous to learne, and are addicted to these things, might profit much more in living according to the Law. Wherefore, let me intreat you to reade it with favour and attention, and to pardon Vs, wherein we may secme to come short of some words which we have laboured to interprete. For the same things uttered in Hebrew, and translated into an other tongue, have not the same force in them : and not only these things, but the Law itself, and the Prophets, and the rest of the Bookes, have no small difference, when they are spoken in their own language. For in the eight and thirtieth year coming into Egypt, when Euergetes was King, and continuing there some time, I found a Booke of no small learning, therefore I thought it most necessary for me, to bestow some diligence and trauaile to interpret it: Vsing great watchfulnesse, and skill in that space, to bring the Booke to an end, and set it forth for them also, which in a strange country are willing to learne, being prepared before in manners to line after the Law.