Wis 19:14 For the Sodomites did not receive those, whom they knew not when they came: but these brought friends into bondage, that had well deserved of them.

Wis 19:15 And not only so, but peradventure some respect shall be had of those, because they used strangers not friendly:

Wis 19:16 But these very grievously afflicted them, whom they had received with feastings, and were already made partakers of the same laws with them.

Wis 19:17 Therefore even with blindness were these stricken, as those were at the doors of the righteous man: when, being compa.s.sed about with horrible great darkness, every one sought the pa.s.sage of his own doors.

Wis 19:18 For the elements were changed in themselves by a kind of harmony, like as in a psaltery notes change the name of the tune, and yet are always sounds; which may well be perceived by the sight of the things that have been done.

Wis 19:19 For earthly things were turned into watery, and the things, that before swam in the water, now went upon the ground.

Wis 19:20 The fire had power in the water, forgetting his own virtue: and the water forgat his own quenching nature.

Wis 19:21 On the other side, the flames wasted not the flesh of the corruptible living things, though they walked therein; neither melted they the icy kind of heavenly meat that was of nature apt to melt.

Wis 19:22 For in all things, O Lord, thou didst magnify thy people, and glorify them, neither didst thou lightly regard them: but didst a.s.sist them in every time and place.

The Book of Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus) [The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus]

Sir 1 [A Prologue made by an uncertain Author]

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 a 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, int.i.tuling 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 G.o.dly stories of men that pleased G.o.d; also his prayer and song; moreover, what benefits G.o.d 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.

[The Prologue of the Wisdom of Jesus 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 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 s.p.a.ce 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.

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

Sir 1:2 Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of eternity?

Sir 1:3 Who can find out the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the deep, and wisdom?

Sir 1:4 Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.

Sir 1:5 The word of G.o.d most high is the fountain of wisdom; and her ways are everlasting commandments.

Sir 1:6 To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed? or who hath known her wise counsels?

Sir 1:7 [Unto whom hath the knowledge of wisdom been made manifest?

and who hath understood her great experience?]

Sir 1:8 There is one wise and greatly to be feared, the Lord sitting upon his throne.

Sir 1:9 He created her, and saw her, and numbered her, and poured her out upon all his works.

Sir 1:10 She is with all flesh according to his gift, and he hath given her to them that love him.

Sir 1:11 The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of rejoicing.

Sir 1:12 The fear of the Lord maketh a merry heart, and giveth joy, and gladness, and a long life.

Sir 1:13 Whoso feareth the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last, and he shall find favour in the day of his death.

Sir 1:14 To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and it was created with the faithful in the womb.

Sir 1:15 She hath built an everlasting foundation with men, and she shall continue with their seed.

Sir 1:16 To fear the Lord is fulness of wisdom, and filleth men with her fruits.

Sir 1:17 She filleth all their house with things desirable, and the garners with her increase.

Sir 1:18 The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish; both which are the gifts of G.o.d: and it enlargeth their rejoicing that love him.

Sir 1:19 Wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of understanding standing, and exalteth them to honour that hold her fast.

Sir 1:20 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and the branches thereof are long life.

Sir 1:21 The fear of the Lord driveth away sins: and where it is present, it turneth away wrath.

Sir 1:22 A furious man cannot be justified; for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction.

Sir 1:23 A patient man will tear for a time, and afterward joy shall spring up unto him.

Sir 1:24 He will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.

Sir 1:25 The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of wisdom: but G.o.dliness is an abomination to a sinner.

Sir 1:26 If thou desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord shall give her unto thee.

Sir 1:27 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction: and faith and meekness are his delight.

Sir 1:28 Distrust not the fear of the Lord when thou art poor: and come not unto him with a double heart.

Sir 1:29 Be not an hypocrite in the sight of men, and take good heed what thou speakest.

Sir 1:30 Exalt not thyself, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul, and so G.o.d 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.

Sir 2:1 My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation.

Sir 2:2 Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of trouble.

Sir 2:3 Cleave unto him, and depart not away, that thou mayest be increased at thy last end.

Sir 2:4 Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate.