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Bible - Book 26: Ecclesiasticus
THE HOLY BIBLE
Translated from the Latin Vulgate
Diligently Compared with the Hebrew, Greek, and Other Editions in
Divers Languages
THE OLD TESTAMENT First Published by the English College at Douay A.D.
1609 & 1610
and
THE NEW TESTAMENT First Published by the English College at Rheims
A.D. 1582
With Annotations
The Whole Revised and Diligently Compared with the Latin Vulgate by
Bishop Richard Challoner A.D. 1749-1752
ECCLESIASTICUS
This Book is so called from a Greek word that signifies a preacher:
because, like an excellent preacher, it gives admirable lessons of all
virtues. The author was Jesus the son of Sirach of Jerusalem, who
flourished about two hundred years before Christ. As it was written
after the time of Esdras, it is not in the Jewish canon; but is
received as canonical and divine by the Catholic Church, instructed by
apostolical tradition, and directed by the spirit of God. It was first
written in the Hebrew, but afterwards translated into Greek, by
another Jesus, the grandson of the author, whose prologue to this book
is the following:
THE PROLOGUE
The knowledge of many and great things hath been shewn us by the law,
and the prophets, and others that have followed them: for which things
Israel is to be commended for doctrine and wisdom, because not only
they that speak must needs be skilful, but strangers also, both
speaking and writing, may by their means become most learned. My
grandfather Jesus, after he had much given himself to a diligent
reading of the law, and the prophets, and other books, that were
delivered to us from our fathers, had a mind also to write something
himself, pertaining to doctrine and wisdom; that such as are desirous
to learn, and are made knowing in these things, may be more and more
attentive in mind, and be strengthened to live according to the law. I
entreat you therefore to come with benevolence, and to read with
attention, and to pardon us for those things wherein we may seem,
while we follow the image of wisdom, to come short in the composition
of words; for the Hebrew words have not the same force in them when
translated into another tongue. And not only these, but the law also
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 Ptolemy Evergetes was
king, and continuing there a long time, I found there books left, of
no small nor contemptible learning. Therefore I thought it good, and
necessary for me to bestow some diligence and labour to interpret this
book; and with much watching and study in some space of time, I
brought the book to an end, and set it forth for the service of them
that are willing to apply their mind, and to learn how they ought to
conduct themselves, who purpose to lead their life according to the
law of the Lord.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 1
All wisdom is from God, and is given to them that fear and love God.
1:1. All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him,
and is before all time.
1:2. Who hath numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and
the days of the world? Who hath measured the height of heaven, and the
breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss?
1:3. Who hath searched out the wisdom of God that goeth before all
things?
1:4. Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding
of prudence from everlasting.
1:5. The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdom, and her ways
are everlasting commandments.
1:6. To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed, and who hath known
her wise counsels?
1:7. To whom hath the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made
manifest? and who hath understood the multiplicity of her steps?
1:8. There is one most high Creator Almighty, and a powerful king, and
greatly to be feared, who sitteth upon his throne, and is the God of
dominion.
1:9. He created her in the Holy Ghost, and saw her, and numbered her,
and measured her.
1:10. And he poured her out upon all his works, and upon all flesh
according to his gift, and hath given her to them that love him.
1:11. The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a
crown of joy.
1:12. The fear of the Lord shall delight the heart, and shall give
joy, and gladness, and length of days.
1:13. With him that feareth the Lord, it shall go well in the latter
end, and in the day of his death he shall be blessed.
1:14. The love of God is honourable wisdom.
1:15. And they to whom she shall shew herself love her by the sight,
and by the knowledge of her great works.
1:16. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and was created
with the faithful in the womb, it walketh with chosen women, and is
known with the just and faithful.
1:17. The fear of the Lord is the religiousness of knowledge.
1:18. Religiousness shall keep and justify the heart, it shall give
joy and gladness.
1:19. It shall go well with him that feareth the Lord, and in the days
of his end he shall be blessed.
1:20. To fear God is the fulness of wisdom, and fulness is from the
fruits thereof.
1:21. She shall fill all her house with her increase, and the
storehouses with her treasures.
1:22. The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, filling up peace and
the fruit of salvation:
1:23. And it hath seen, and numbered her: but both are the gifts of
God.
1:24. Wisdom shall distribute knowledge, and understanding of
prudence: and exalteth the glory of them that hold her.
1:25. The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord: and the branches thereof
are long-lived.
1:26. In the treasures of wisdom is understanding, and religiousness
of knowledge: but to sinners wisdom is an abomination.
1:27. The fear of the Lord driveth out sin:
1:28. For he that is without fear, cannot be justified: for the wrath
of his high spirits is his ruin.
1:29. A patient man shall bear for a time, and afterwards joy shall be
restored to him.
1:30. A good understanding will hide his words for a time, and the
lips of many shall declare his wisdom.
1:31. In the treasures of wisdom is the signification of discipline:
1:32. But the worship of God is an abomination to a sinner.
1:33. Son, if thou desire wisdom, keep justice, and God will give her
to thee.
1:34. For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline: and that
which is agreeable to him,
1:35. Is faith, and meekness: and he will fill up his treasures.
1:36. Be not incredulous to the fear of the Lord: and come not to him
with a double heart.
1:37. Be not a hypocrite in the sight of men, and let not thy lips be
a stumblingblock to thee.
1:38. Watch over them, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy
soul,
1:39. And God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of
the congregation.
1:40. Because thou camest to the Lord wickedly, and thy heart is full
of guile and deceit.