-1 This Jesus was the son of Sirach, and grandchild to Jesus 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 Jesus, 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 Jesus died, leaving this book almost perfected, Sirach his son receiving it after him left it to his own son Jesus, who, having gotten it into his hands, compiled it all orderly into one volume, and called it Wisdom, intituling it both by his own name, his father's name, and his grandfather's; alluring the hearer by the very name of Wisdom to have a greater love to the study of this book. It containeth 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 benefits God had vouchsafed his people, and what plagues he had heaped upon their enemies. This Jesus did imitate Solomon, and was no less famous for wisdom and learning, both being indeed a man of great learning, and so reputed also.

0 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 wisdom; and whereof not only the readers must needs become skilful themselves, but also they that desire to learn be able to profit them which are without, both by speaking and writing: my grandfather Jesus, when he had much given himself to the reading of the law, and the prophets, and other books of our fathers, and had gotten therein good judgment, was drawn on also himself to write something pertaining to learning and wisdom; to the intent that those which are desirous to learn, and are addicted to these things, might profit much more in living according to the law. Wherefore let me intreat you to read it with favour and attention, and to pardon us, wherein we may seem to come short of some words, which we have laboured to interpret. For the same things uttered in Hebrew, and translated into another 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 books, 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 book of no small learning: therefore I thought it most necessary for me to bestow some diligence and travail to interpret it; using great watchfulness and skill in that space to bring the book to an end, and set it forth for them also, which in a strange country are willing to learn, being prepared before in manners to live after the law.

1 All wisdom cometh from the Lord, and is with him for ever.

1:1 Prologus. Multorum nobis et magnorum per legem, et prophetas, aliosque qui secuti sunt illos, sapientia demonstrata est, in quibus oportet laudare Israël doctrinæ et sapientiæ causa, quia non solum ipsos loquentes necesse est esse peritos, sed etiam extraneos posse et dicentes et scribentes doctissimos fieri. Avus meus Jesus, postquam se amplius dedit ad diligentiam lectionis legis, et prophetarum, et aliorum librorum qui nobis a parentibus nostris traditi sunt, voluit et ipse scribere aliquid horum quæ ad doctrinam et sapientiam pertinent, ut desiderantes discere, et illorum periti facti, magis magisque attendant animo, et confirmentur ad legitimam vitam. Hortor itaque venire vos cum benevolentia, et attentiori studio lectionem facere, et veniam habere in illis, in quibus videmur, sequentes imaginem sapientiæ, deficere in verborum compositione. Nam deficiunt verba hebraica, quando fuerint translata ad alteram linguam: non autem solum hæc, sed et ipsa lex, et prophetæ, ceteraque aliorum librorum non parvam habent differentiam quando inter se dicuntur. Nam in octavo et trigesimo anno temporibus Ptolemæi Evergetis regis, postquam perveni in Ægyptum, et cum multum temporis ibi fuissem, inveni ibi libros relictos, non parvæ neque contemnendæ doctrinæ. Itaque bonum et necessarium putavi et ipse aliquam addere diligentiam et laborem interpretandi librum istum: et multa vigilia attuli doctrinam in spatio temporis, ad illa quæ ad finem ducunt, librum istum dare, et illis qui volunt animum intendere, et discere quemadmodum oporteat instituere mores, qui secundum legem Domini proposuerint vitam agere. Omnis sapientia a Domino Deo est:
et cum illo fuit semper, et est ante ævum.

2 Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of eternity?

2 Arenam maris, et pluviæ guttas,
et dies sæculi, quis dinumeravit?
altitudinem cæli, et latitudinem terræ,
et profundum abyssi, quis dimensus est?

3 Who can find out the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the deep, and wisdom?

3 sapientiam Dei præcedentem omnia, quis investigavit?

4 Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.

4 Prior omnium creata est sapientia,
et intellectus prudentiæ ab ævo.

5 The word of God most high is the fountain of wisdom; and her ways are everlasting commandments.

5 Fons sapientiæ verbum Dei in excelsis,
et ingressus illius mandata æterna.

6 To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed? or who hath known her wise counsels?

6 Radix sapientiæ cui revelata est?
et astutias illius quis agnovit?

7 Unto whom hath the knowledge of wisdom been made manifest? and who hath understood her great experience?

7 disciplina sapientiæ cui revelata est et manifestata?
et multiplicationem ingressus illius quis intellexit?

8 There is one wise and greatly to be feared, the Lord sitting upon his throne.

8 Unus est altissimus, Creator omnipotens,
et rex potens et metuendus nimis,
sedens super thronum illius, et dominans Deus.

9 He created her, and saw her, and numbered her, and poured her out upon all his works.

9 Ipse creavit illam in Spiritu Sancto,
et vidit, et dinumeravit, et mensus est:

10 She is with all flesh according to his gift, and he hath given her to them that love him.

10 et effudit illam super omnia opera sua,
et super omnem carnem, secundum datum suum,
et præbuit illam diligentibus se.

11 The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of rejoicing.

11 ¶ Timor Domini gloria, et gloriatio,
et lætitia, et corona exsultationis.

12 The fear of the Lord maketh a merry heart, and giveth joy, and gladness, and a long life.

12 Timor Domini delectabit cor,
et dabit lætitiam, et gaudium, et longitudinem dierum.

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.

13 Timenti Dominum bene erit in extremis,
et in die defunctionis suæ benedicetur.

14 Dilectio Dei honorabilis sapientia:

15 quibus autem apparuerit in visu diligunt eam in visione,
et in agnitione magnalium suorum.

14 To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and it was created with the faithful in the womb.

15 She hath built an everlasting foundation with men, and she shall continue with their seed.

16 Initium sapientiæ timor Domini:
et cum fidelibus in vulva concreatus est:
cum electis feminis graditur,
et cum justis et fidelibus agnoscitur.

17 Timor Domini scientiæ religiositas:

18 religiositas custodiet et justificabit cor;
jucunditatem atque gaudium dabit.

19 Timenti Dominum bene erit,
et in diebus consummationis illius benedicetur.

16 To fear the Lord is fulness of wisdom, and filleth men with her fruits.

20 Plenitudo sapientiæ est timere Deum,
et plenitudo a fructibus illius.

17 She filleth all their house with things desirable, and the garners with her increase.

21 Omnem domum illius implebit a generationibus,
et receptacula a thesauris illius.

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.

22 Corona sapientiæ timor Domini,
replens pacem et salutis fructum:

23 et vidit, et dinumeravit eam:
utraque autem sunt dona Dei.

19 Wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of understanding, and exalteth them to honour that hold her fast.

24 Scientiam et intellectum prudentiæ sapientia compartietur,
et gloriam tenentium se exaltat.

20 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and the branches thereof are long life.

25 Radix sapientiæ est timere Dominum,
et rami illius longævi.

26 In thesauris sapientiæ intellectus et scientiæ religiositas:
execratio autem peccatoribus sapientia.

21 The fear of the Lord driveth away sins: and where it is present, it turneth away wrath.

27 Timor Domini expellit peccatum:

22 A furious man cannot be justified; for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction.

28 nam qui sine timore est non poterit justificari:
iracundia enim animositatis illius subversio illius est.

23 A patient man will bear for a time, and afterward joy shall spring up unto him.

29 Usque in tempus sustinebit patiens,
et postea redditio jucunditatis.

24 He will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.

30 Bonus sensus usque in tempus abscondet verba illius,
et labia multorum enarrabunt sensum illius.

25 The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of wisdom: but godliness is an abomination to a sinner.

31 In thesauris sapientiæ significatio disciplinæ:

32 execratio autem peccatori cultura Dei.

26 If thou desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord shall give her unto thee.

33 Fili, concupiscens sapientiam, conserva justitiam,
et Deus præbebit illam tibi.

27 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction: and faith and meekness are his delight.

34 Sapientia enim et disciplina timor Domini:
et quod beneplacitum est illi,

28 Distrust not the fear of the Lord when thou art poor: and come not unto him with a double heart.

35 fides et mansuetudo,
et adimplebit thesauros illius.

29 Be not an hypocrite in the sight of men, and take good heed what thou speakest.

36 Ne sis incredibilis timori Domini,
et ne accesseris ad illum duplici corde.

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.

37 Ne fueris hypocrita in conspectu hominum,
et non scandalizeris in labiis tuis.

38 Attende in illis, ne forte cadas,
et adducas animæ tuæ inhonorationem:

39 et revelet Deus absconsa tua,
et in medio synagogæ elidat te:

40 quoniam accessisti maligne ad Dominum,
et cor tuum plenum est dolo et fallacia.