The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach,or Ecclesiasticus
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, 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.
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 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.
{1:1} All wisdom cometh from the Lord, and is with him
for ever.
{1:2} Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops
of rain, and the days of eternity?
{1:3} Who can find out the height of heaven, and the
breadth of the earth, and the deep, and wisdom?
{1:4} Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the
understanding of prudence from everlasting.
{1:5} The word of God most high is the fountain of
wisdom; and her ways are everlasting commandments.
{1:6} To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed? or
who hath known her wise counsels?
{1:7} [Unto whom hath the knowledge of wisdom been
made manifest? and who hath understood her great
experience?]
{1:8} There is one wise and greatly to be feared, the Lord
sitting upon his throne.
{1:9} He created her, and saw her, and numbered her, and
poured her out upon all his works.
{1:10} She is with all flesh according to his gift, and he
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 rejoicing.
{1:12} The fear of the Lord maketh a merry heart, and
giveth joy, and gladness, and a long life.
{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.
{1:14} To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and
it was created with the faithful in the womb.
{1:15} She hath built an everlasting foundation with men,
and she shall continue with their seed.
{1:16} To fear the Lord is fulness of wisdom, and filleth
men with her fruits.
{1:17} She filleth all their house with things desirable,
and the garners with her increase.
{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 God: and it enlargeth their rejoicing that love him.
{1:19} Wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of
understanding standing, and exalteth them to honour that
hold her fast.
{1:20} The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and the
branches thereof are long life.
{1:21} The fear of the Lord driveth away sins: and where
it is present, it turneth away wrath.
{1:22} A furious man cannot be justified; for the sway of
his fury shall be his destruction.
{1:23} A patient man will tear for a time, and afterward
joy shall spring up unto him.
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{1:24} He will hide his words for a time, and the lips of
many shall declare his wisdom.
{1:25} The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of
wisdom: but godliness is an abomination to a sinner.
{1:26} If thou desire wisdom, keep the commandments,
and the Lord shall give her unto thee.
{1:27} For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction:
and faith and meekness are his delight.
{1:28} Distrust not the fear of the Lord when thou art
poor: and come not unto him with a double heart.
{1:29} Be not an hypocrite in the sight of men, and take
good heed what thou speakest.
{1:30} 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.
{2:1} My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy
soul for temptation.
{2:2} Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure, and
make not haste in time of trouble.
{2:3} Cleave unto him, and depart not away, that thou
mayest be increased at thy last end.
{2:4} Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully,
and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate.
{2:5} For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in
the furnace of adversity.
{2:6} Believe in him, and he will help thee; order thy way
aright, and trust in him.
{2:7} Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; and go not
aside, lest ye fall.
{2:8} Ye that fear the Lord, believe him; and your reward
shall not fail.
{2:9} Ye that fear the Lord, hope for good, and for
everlasting joy and mercy.
{2:10} Look at the generations of old, and see; did ever
any trust in the Lord, and was confounded? or did any abide
in his fear, and was forsaken? or whom did he ever despise,
that called upon him?
{2:11} For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy,
longsuffering, and very pitiful, and forgiveth sins, and
saveth in time of affliction.
{2:12} Woe be to fearful hearts, and faint hands, and the
sinner that goeth two ways!
{2:13} Woe unto him that is fainthearted! for he believeth
not; therefore shall he not be defended.
{2:14} Woe unto you that have lost patience! and what
will ye do when the Lord shall visit you?
{2:15} They that fear the Lord will not disobey his Word;
and they that love him will keep his ways.
{2:16} They that fear the Lord will seek that which is
well, pleasing unto him; and they that love him shall be
filled with the law.
{2:17} They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts,
and humble their souls in his sight,
{2:18} Saying, We will fall into the hands of the Lord,
and not into the hands of men: for as his majesty is, so is his
mercy.
{3:1} Hear me your father, O children, and do thereafter,
that ye may be safe.
{3:2} For the Lord hath given the father honour over the
children, and hath confirmed the authority of the mother
over the sons.
{3:3} Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement
for his sins:
{3:4} And he that honoureth his mother is as one that
layeth up treasure.
{3:5} Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his
own children; and when he maketh his prayer, he shall be
heard.
{3:6} He that honoureth his father shall have a long life;
and he that is obedient unto the Lord shall be a comfort to
his mother.
{3:7} He that feareth the Lord will honour his father, and
will do service unto his parents, as to his masters.
{3:8} Honour thy father and mother both in word and
deed, that a blessing may come upon thee from them.
{3:9} For the blessing of the father establisheth the houses
of children; but the curse of the mother rooteth out
foundations.
{3:10} Glory not in the dishonour of thy father; for thy
father’s dishonour is no glory unto thee.
{3:11} For the glory of a man is from the honour of his
father; and a mother in dishonour is a reproach to the
children.
{3:12} My son, help thy father in his age, and grieve him
not as long as he liveth.
{3:13} And if his understanding fail, have patience with
him; and despise him not when thou art in thy full strength.
{3:14} For the relieving of thy father shall not be
forgotten: and instead of sins it shall be added to build thee
up.
{3:15} In the day of thine affliction it shall be
remembered; thy sins also shall melt away, as the ice in the
fair warm weather.
{3:16} He that forsaketh his father is as a blasphemer; and
he that angereth his mother is cursed: of God.
Page 601 Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
{3:17} My son, go on with thy business in meekness; so
shalt thou be beloved of him that is approved.
{3:18} The greater thou art, the more humble thyself, and
thou shalt find favour before the Lord.
{3:19} Many are in high place, and of renown: but
mysteries are revealed unto the meek.
{3:20} For the power of the Lord is great, and he is
honoured of the lowly.
{3:21} Seek not out things that are too hard for thee,
neither search the things that are above thy strength.
{3:22} But what is commanded thee, think thereupon with
reverence, for it is not needful for thee to see with thine
eyes the things that are in secret.
{3:23} Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more
things are shewed unto thee than men understand.
{3:24} For many are deceived by their own vain opinion;
and an evil suspicion hath overthrown their judgment.
{3:25} Without eyes thou shalt want light: profess not the
knowledge therefore that thou hast not.
{3:26} A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last; and he
that loveth danger shall perish therein.
{3:27} An obstinate heart shall be laden with sorrows;
and the wicked man shall heap sin upon sin.
{3:28} In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy;
for the plant of wickedness hath taken root in him.
{3:29} The heart of the prudent will understand a parable;
and an attentive ear is the desire of a wise man.
{3:30} Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh
an atonement for sins.
{3:31} And he that requiteth good turns is mindful of that
which may come hereafter; and when he falleth, he shall
find a stay.
{4:1} My son, defraud not the poor of his living, and
make not the needy eyes to wait long.
{4:2} Make not an hungry soul sorrowful; neither provoke
a man in his distress.
{4:3} Add not more trouble to an heart that is vexed; and
defer not to give to him that is in need.
{4:4} Reject not the supplication of the afflicted; neither
turn away thy face from a poor man.
{4:5} Turn not away thine eye from the needy, and give
him none occasion to curse thee:
{4:6} For if he curse thee in the bitterness of his soul, his
prayer shall be heard of him that made him.
{4:7} Get thyself the love of the congregation, and bow
thy head to a great man.
{4:8} Let it not grieve thee to bow down thine ear to the
poor, and give him a friendly answer with meekness.
{4:9} Deliver him that suffereth wrong from the hand of
the oppressor; and be not fainthearted when thou sittest in
judgment.
{4:10} Be as a father unto the fatherless, and instead of an
husband unto their mother: so shalt thou be as the son of the
most High, and he shall love thee more than thy mother
doth.
{4:11} Wisdom exalteth her children, and layeth hold of
them that seek her.
{4:12} He that loveth her loveth life; and they that seek to
her early shall be filled with joy.
{4:13} He that holdeth her fast shall inherit glory; and
wheresoever she entereth, the Lord will bless.
{4:14} They that serve her shall minister to the Holy One:
and them that love her the Lord doth love.
{4:15} Whoso giveth ear unto her shall judge the nations:
and he that attendeth unto her shall dwell securely.
{4:16} If a man commit himself unto her, he shall inherit
her; and his generation shall hold her in possession.
{4:17} For at the first she will walk with him by crooked
ways, and bring fear and dread upon him, and torment him
with her discipline, until she may trust his soul, and try him
by her laws.
{4:18} Then will she return the straight way unto him,
and comfort him, and shew him her secrets.
{4:19} But if he go wrong, she will forsake him, and give
him over to his own ruin.
{4:20} Observe the opportunity, and beware of evil; and
be not ashamed when it concerneth thy soul.
{4:21} For there is a shame that bringeth sin; and there is
a shame which is glory and grace.
{4:22} Accept no person against thy soul, and let not the
reverence of any man cause thee to fall.
{4:23} And refrain not to speak, when there is occasion to
do good, and hide not thy wisdom in her beauty.
{4:24} For by speech wisdom shall be known: and
learning by the word of the tongue.
{4:25} In no wise speak against the truth; but be abashed
of the error of thine ignorance.
{4:26} Be not ashamed to confess thy sins; and force not
the course of the river.
{4:27} Make not thyself an underling to a foolish man;
neither accept the person of the mighty.
{4:28} Strive for the truth unto death, and the Lord shall
fight for thee.
{4:29} Be not hasty in thy tongue, and in thy deeds slack
and remiss.
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Page 602
{4:30} Be not as a lion in thy house, nor frantick among
thy servants.
{4:31} Let not thine hand be stretched out to receive, and
shut when thou shouldest repay.
{5:1} Set thy heart upon thy goods; and say not, I have
enough for my life.
{5:2} Follow not thine own mind and thy strength, to
walk in the ways of thy heart:
{5:3} And say not, Who shall controul me for my works?
for the Lord will surely revenge thy pride.
{5:4} Say not, I have sinned, and what harm hath
happened unto me? for the Lord is longsuffering, he will in
no wise let thee go.
{5:5} Concerning propitiation, be not without fear to add
sin unto sin:
{5:6} And say not His mercy is great; he will be pacified
for the multitude of my sins: for mercy and wrath come
from him, and his indignation resteth upon sinners.
{5:7} Make no tarrying to turn to the Lord, and put not off
from day to day: for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord
come forth, and in thy security thou shalt be destroyed, and
perish in the day of vengeance.
{5:8} Set not thine heart upon goods unjustly gotten, for
they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity.
{5:9} Winnow not with every wind, and go not into every
way: for so doth the sinner that hath a double tongue.
{5:10} Be stedfast in thy understanding; and let thy word
be the same.
{5:11} Be swift to hear; and let thy life be sincere; and
with patience give answer.
{5:12} If thou hast understanding, answer thy neighbour;
if not, lay thy hand upon thy mouth.
{5:13} Honour and shame is in talk: and the tongue of
man is his fall.
{5:14} Be not called a whisperer, and lie not in wait with
thy tongue: for a foul shame is upon the thief, and an evil
condemnation upon the double tongue.
{5:15} Be not ignorant of any thing in a great matter or a
small.
{6:1} Instead of a friend become not an enemy; for
[thereby] thou shalt inherit an ill name, shame, and
reproach: even so shall a sinner that hath a double tongue.
{6:2} Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart;
that thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull [straying alone.]
{6:3} Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and
leave thyself as a dry tree.
{6:4} A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and
shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies.
{6:5} Sweet language will multiply friends: and a
fairspeaking tongue will increase kind greetings.
{6:6} Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one
counsellor of a thousand.
{6:7} If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first and be
not hasty to credit him.
{6:8} For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and
will not abide in the day of thy trouble.
{6:9} And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity,
and strife will discover thy reproach.
{6:10} Again, some friend is a companion at the table,
and will not continue in the day of thy affliction.
{6:11} But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will
be bold over thy servants.
{6:12} If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and
will hide himself from thy face.
{6:13} Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed
of thy friends.
{6:14} A faithfull friend is a strong defence: and he that
hath found such an one hath found a treasure.
{6:15} Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his
excellency is invaluable.
{6:16} A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they
that fear the Lord shall find him.
{6:17} Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship
aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.
{6:18} My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so
shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age.
{6:19} Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth,
and wait for her good fruits: for thou shalt not toil much in
labouring about her, but thou shalt eat of her fruits right
soon.
{6:20} She is very unpleasant to the unlearned: he that is
without understanding will not remain with her.
{6:21} She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial;
and he will cast her from him ere it be long.
{6:22} For wisdom is according to her name, and she is
not manifest unto many.
{6:23} Give ear, my son, receive my advice, and refuse
not my counsel,
{6:24} And put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into
her chain.
{6:25} Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not
grieved with her bonds.
{6:26} Come unto her with thy whole heart, and keep her
ways with all thy power.
{6:27} Search, and seek, and she shall be made known
Page 603 Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
unto thee: and when thou hast got hold of her, let her not go.
{6:28} For at the last thou shalt find her rest, and that
shall be turned to thy joy.
{6:29} Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee,
and her chains a robe of glory.
{6:30} For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her
bands are purple lace.
{6:31} Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour, and
shalt put her about thee as a crown of joy.
{6:32} My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught: and if
thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be prudent.
{6:33} If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive
understanding: and if thou bow thine ear, thou shalt be wise,
{6:34} Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave
unto him that is wise.
{6:35} Be willing to hear every godly discourse; and let
not the parables of understanding escape thee.
{6:36} And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee
betimes unto him, and let thy foot wear the steps of his door.
{6:37} Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord
and meditate continually in his commandments: he shall
establish thine heart, and give thee wisdom at thine owns
desire.
{7:1} Do no evil, so shall no harm come unto thee.
{7:2} Depart from the unjust, and iniquity shall turn away
from thee.
{7:3} My son, sow not upon the furrows of
unrighteousness, and thou shalt not reap them sevenfold.
{7:4} Seek not of the Lord preeminence, neither of the
king the seat of honour.
{7:5} justify not thyself before the Lord; and boast not of
thy wisdom before the king.
{7:6} Seek not to be judge, being not able to take away
iniquity; lest at any time thou fear the person of the mighty,
an stumblingblock in the way of thy uprightness.
{7:7} Offend not against the multitude of a city, and then
thou shalt not cast thyself down among the people.
{7:8} Bind not one sin upon another; for in one thou shalt
not be unpunished.
{7:9} Say not, God will look upon the multitude of my
oblations, and when I offer to the most high God, he will
accept it.
{7:10} Be not fainthearted when thou makest thy prayer,
and neglect not to give alms.
{7:11} Laugh no man to scorn in the bitterness of his
soul: for there is one which humbleth and exalteth.
{7:12} Devise not a lie against thy brother; neither do the
like to thy friend.
{7:13} Use not to make any manner of lie: for the custom
thereof is not good.
{7:14} Use not many words in a multitude of elders, and
make not much babbling when thou prayest.
{7:15} Hate not laborious work, neither husbandry, which
the most High hath ordained.
{7:16} Number not thyself among the multitude of
sinners, but remember that wrath will not tarry long.
{7:17} Humble thyself greatly: for the vengeance of the
ungodly is fire and worms.
{7:18} Change not a friend for any good by no means;
neither a faithful brother for the gold of Ophir.
{7:19} Forego not a wise and good woman: for her grace
is above gold.
{7:20} Whereas thy servant worketh truly, entreat him not
evil. nor the hireling that bestoweth himself wholly for thee.
{7:21} Let thy soul love a good servant, and defraud him
not of liberty.
{7:22} Hast thou cattle? have an eye to them: and if they
be for thy profit, keep them with thee.
{7:23} Hast thou children? instruct them, and bow down
their neck from their youth.
{7:24} Hast thou daughters? have a care of their body,
and shew not thyself cheerful toward them.
{7:25} Marry thy daughter, and so shalt thou have
performed a weighty matter: but give her to a man of
understanding.
{7:26} Hast thou a wife after thy mind? forsake her not:
but give not thyself over to a light woman.
{7:27} Honour thy father with thy whole heart, and forget
not the sorrows of thy mother.
{7:28} Remember that thou wast begotten of them; and
how canst thou recompense them the things that they have
done for thee?
{7:29} Fear the Lord with all thy soul, and reverence his
priests.
{7:30} Love him that made thee with all thy strength, and
forsake not his ministers.
{7:31} Fear the Lord, and honor the priest; and give him
his portion, as it is commanded thee; the firstfruits, and the
trespass offering, and the gift of the shoulders, and the
sacrifice of sanctification, and the firstfruits of the holy
things.
{7:32} And stretch thine hand unto the poor, that thy
blessing may be perfected.
{7:33} A gift hath grace in the sight of every man living;
and for the dead detain it not.
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Page 604
{7:34} Fail not to be with them that weep, and mourn
with them that mourn.
{7:35} Be not slow to visit the sick: for that shall make
thee to be beloved.
{7:36} Whatsoever thou takest in hand, remember the
end, and thou shalt never do amiss.
{8:1} Strive not with a mighty man’ lest thou fall into his
hands.
{8:2} Be not at variance with a rich man, lest he
overweigh thee: for gold hath destroyed many, and
perverted the hearts of kings.
{8:3} Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and
heap not wood upon his fire.
{8:4} Jest not with a rude man, lest thy ancestors be
disgraced.
{8:5} Reproach not a man that turneth from sin, but
remember that we are all worthy of punishment.
{8:6} Dishonour not a man in his old age: for even some
of us wax old.
{8:7} Rejoice not over thy greatest enemy being dead, but
remember that we die all.
{8:8} Despise not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint
thyself with their proverbs: for of them thou shalt learn
instruction, and how to serve great men with ease.
{8:9} Miss not the discourse of the elders: for they also
learned of their fathers, and of them thou shalt learn
understanding, and to give answer as need requireth.
{8:10} Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest thou be burnt
with the flame of his fire.
{8:11} Rise not up [in anger] at the presence of an
injurious person, lest he lie in wait to entrap thee in thy
words
{8:12} Lend not unto him that is mightier than thyself; for
if thou lendest him, count it but lost.
{8:13} Be not surety above thy power: for if thou be
surety, take care to pay it.
{8:14} Go not to law with a judge; for they will judge for
him according to his honour.
{8:15} Travel not by the way with a bold fellow, lest he
become grievous unto thee: for he will do according to his
own will, and thou shalt perish with him through his folly.
{8:16} Strive not with an angry man, and go not with him
into a solitary place: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and
where there is no help, he will overthrow thee.
{8:17} Consult not with a fool; for he cannot keep counsel.
{8:18} Do no secret thing before a stranger; for thou
knowest not what he will bring forth.
{8:19} Open not thine heart to every man, lest he requite
thee with a shrewd turn.
{9:1} Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, and
teach her not an evil lesson against thyself.
{9:2} Give not thy soul unto a woman to set her foot upon
thy substance.
{9:3} Meet not with an harlot, lest thou fall into her snares.
{9:4} Use not much the company of a woman that is a
singer, lest thou be taken with her attempts.
{9:5} Gaze not on a maid, that thou fall not by those
things that are precious in her.
{9:6} Give not thy soul unto harlots, that thou lose not
thine inheritance.
{9:7} Look not round about thee in the streets of the city,
neither wander thou in the solitary place thereof.
{9:8} Turn away thine eye from a beautiful woman, and
look not upon another’s beauty; for many have been
deceived by the beauty of a woman; for herewith love is
kindled as a fire.
{9:9} Sit not at all with another man’s wife, nor sit down
with her in thine arms, and spend not thy money with her at
the wine; lest thine heart incline unto her, and so through
thy desire thou fall into destruction.
{9:10} Forsake not an old friend; for the new is not
comparable to him: a new friend is as new wine; when it is
old, thou shalt drink it with pleasure.
{9:11} Envy not the glory of a sinner: for thou knowest
not what shall be his end.
{9:12} Delight not in the thing that the ungodly have
pleasure in; but remember they shall not go unpunished
unto their grave.
{9:13} Keep thee far from the man that hath power to kill;
so shalt thou not doubt the fear of death: and if thou come
unto him, make no fault, lest he take away thy life
presently: remember that thou goest in the midst of snares,
and that thou walkest upon the battlements of the city.
{9:14} As near as thou canst, guess at thy neighbour, and
consult with the wise.
{9:15} Let thy talk be with the wise, and all thy
communication in the law of the most High.
{9:16} And let just men eat and drink with thee; and let
thy glorying be in the fear of the Lord.
{9:17} For the hand of the artificer the work shall be
commended: and the wise ruler of the people for his speech.
{9:18} A man of an ill tongue is dangerous in his city; and
he that is rash in his talk shall be hated.
{10:1} A wise judge will instruct his people; and the
government of a prudent man is well ordered.
{10:2} As the judge of the people is himself, so are his
officers; and what manner of man the ruler of the city is,
Page 605 Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
such are all they that dwell therein.
{10:3} An unwise king destroyeth his people; but through
the prudence of them which are in authority the city shall be
inhabited.
{10:4} The power of the earth is in the hand of the Lord,
and in due time he will set over it one that is profitable.
{10:5} In the hand of God is the prosperity of man: and
upon the person of the scribe shall he lay his honour.
{10:6} Bear not hatred to thy neighbour for every wrong;
and do nothing at all by injurious practices.
{10:7} Pride is hateful before God and man: and by both
doth one commit iniquity.
{10:8} Because of unrighteous dealings, injuries, and
riches got by deceit, the kingdom is translated from one
people to another.
{10:9} Why is earth and ashes proud? There is not a more
wicked thing than a covetous man: for such an one setteth
his own soul to sale; because while he liveth he casteth
away his bowels.
{10:10} The physician cutteth off a long disease; and he
that is to day a king to morrow shall die.
{10:11} For when a man is dead, he shall inherit creeping
things, beasts, and worms.
{10:12} The beginning of pride is when one departeth
from God, and his heart is turned away from his Maker.
{10:13} For pride is the beginning of sin, and he that hath
it shall pour out abomination: and therefore the Lord
brought upon them strange calamities, and overthrew them
utterly.
{10:14} The Lord hath cast down the thrones of proud
princes, and set up the meek in their stead.
{10:15} The Lord hath plucked up the roots of the proud
nations, and planted the lowly in their place.
{10:16} The Lord overthrew countries of the heathen, and
destroyed them to the foundations of the earth.
{10:17} He took some of them away, and destroyed them,
and hath made their memorial to cease from the earth.
{10:18} Pride was not made for men, nor furious anger
for them that are born of a woman.
{10:19} They that fear the Lord are a sure seed, and they
that love him an honourable plant: they that regard not the
law are a dishonourable seed; they that transgress the
commandments are a deceivable seed.
{10:20} Among brethren he that is chief is honorable; so
are they that fear the Lord in his eyes.
{10:21} The fear of the Lord goeth before the obtaining of
authority: but roughness and pride is the losing thereof.
{10:22} Whether he be rich, noble, or poor, their glory is
the fear of the Lord.
{10:23} It is not meet to despise the poor man that hath
understanding; neither is it convenient to magnify a sinful
man.
{10:24} Great men, and judges, and potentates, shall be
honoured; yet is there none of them greater than he that
feareth the Lord.
{10:25} Unto the servant that is wise shall they that are
free do service: and he that hath knowledge will not grudge
when he is reformed.
{10:26} Be not overwise in doing thy business; and boast
not thyself in the time of thy distress.
{10:27} Better is he that laboureth, and aboundeth in all
things, than he that boasteth himself, and wanteth bread.
{10:28} My son, glorify thy soul in meekness, and give it
honour according to the dignity thereof.
{10:29} Who will justify him that sinneth against his own
soul? and who will honour him that dishonoureth his own
life?
{10:30} The poor man is honoured for his skill, and the
rich man is honoured for his riches.
{10:31} He that is honoured in poverty, how much more
in riches? and he that is dishonourable in riches, how much
more in poverty?
{11:1} Wisdom lifteth up the head of him that is of low
degree, and maketh him to sit among great men.
{11:2} Commend not a man for his beauty; neither abhor
a man for his outward appearance.
{11:3} The bee is little among such as fly; but her fruit is
the chief of sweet things.
{11:4} Boast not of thy clothing and raiment, and exalt
not thyself in the day of honour: for the works of the Lord
are wonderful, and his works among men are hidden.
{11:5} Many kings have sat down upon the ground; and
one that was never thought of hath worn the crown.
{11:6} Many mighty men have been greatly disgraced;
and the honourable delivered into other men’s hands.
{11:7} Blame not before thou hast examined the truth:
understand first, and then rebuke.
{11:8} Answer not before thou hast heard the cause:
neither interrupt men in the midst of their talk.
{11:9} Strive not in a matter that concerneth thee not; and
sit not in judgment with sinners.
{11:10} My son, meddle not with many matters: for if
thou meddle much, thou shalt not be innocent; and if thou
follow after, thou shalt not obtain, neither shalt thou escape
by fleeing.
{11:11} There is one that laboureth, and taketh pains, and
maketh haste, and is so much the more behind.
{11:12} Again, there is another that is slow, and hath need
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Page 606
of help, wanting ability, and full of poverty; yet the eye of
the Lord looked upon him for good, and set him up from his
low estate,
{11:13} And lifted up his head from misery; so that many
that saw from him is peace over all the
{11:14} Prosperity and adversity, life and death, poverty
and riches, come of the Lord.
{11:15} Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the
law, are of the Lord: love, and the way of good works, are
from him.
{11:16} Error and darkness had their beginning together
with sinners: and evil shall wax old with them that glory
therein.
{11:17} The gift of the Lord remaineth with the ungodly,
and his favour bringeth prosperity for ever.
{11:18} There is that waxeth rich by his wariness and
pinching, and this his the portion of his reward:
{11:19} Whereas he saith, I have found rest, and now will
eat continually of my goods; and yet he knoweth not what
time shall come upon him, and that he must leave those
things to others, and die.
{11:20} Be stedfast in thy covenant, and be conversant
therein, and wax old in thy work.
{11:21} Marvel not at the works of sinners; but trust in
the Lord, and abide in thy labour: for it is an easy thing in
the sight of the Lord on the sudden to make a poor man rich.
{11:22} The blessing of the Lord is in the reward of the
godly, and suddenly he maketh his blessing flourish.
{11:23} Say not, What profit is there of my service? and
what good things shall I have hereafter?
{11:24} Again, say not, I have enough, and possess many
things, and what evil shall I have hereafter?
{11:25} In the day of prosperity there is a forgetfulness of
affliction: and in the day of affliction there is no more
remembrance of prosperity.
{11:26} For it is an easy thing unto the Lord in the day of
death to reward a man according to his ways.
{11:27} The affliction of an hour maketh a man forget
pleasure: and in his end his deeds shall be discovered.
{11:28} Judge none blessed before his death: for a man
shall be known in his children.
{11:29} Bring not every man into thine house: for the
deceitful man hath many trains.
{11:30} Like as a partridge taken [and kept] in a cage, so
is the heart of the proud; and like as a spy, watcheth he for
thy fall:
{11:31} For he lieth in wait, and turneth good into evil,
and in things worthy praise will lay blame upon thee.
{11:32} Of a spark of fire a heap of coals is kindled: and a
sinful man layeth wait for blood.
{11:33} Take heed of a mischievous man, for he worketh
wickedness; lest he bring upon thee a perpetual blot.
{11:34} Receive a stranger into thine house, and he will
disturb thee, and turn thee out of thine own.
{12:1} When thou wilt do good know to whom thou doest
it; so shalt thou be thanked for thy benefits.
{12:2} Do good to the godly man, and thou shalt find a
recompence; and if not from him, yet from the most High.
{12:3} There can no good come to him that is always
occupied in evil, nor to him that giveth no alms.
{12:4} Give to the godly man, and help not a sinner.
{12:5} Do well unto him that is lowly, but give not to the
ungodly: hold back thy bread, and give it not unto him, lest
he overmaster thee thereby: for [else] thou shalt receive
twice as much evil for all the good thou shalt have done
unto him.
{12:6} For the most High hateth sinners, and will repay
vengeance unto the ungodly, and keepeth them against the
mighty day of their punishment.
{12:7} Give unto the good, and help not the sinner.
{12:8} A friend cannot be known in prosperity: and an
enemy cannot be hidden in adversity.
{12:9} In the prosperity of a man enemies will be grieved:
but in his adversity even a friend will depart.
{12:10} Never trust thine enemy: for like as iron rusteth,
so is his wickedness.
{12:11} Though he humble himself, and go crouching, yet
take good heed and beware of him, and thou shalt be unto
him as if thou hadst wiped a lookingglass, and thou shalt
know that his rust hath not been altogether wiped away.
{12:12} Set him not by thee, lest, when he hath
overthrown thee, he stand up in thy place; neither let him sit
at thy right hand, lest he seek to take thy seat, and thou at
the last remember my words, and be pricked therewith.
{12:13} Who will pity a charmer that is bitten with a
serpent, or any such as come nigh wild beasts?
{12:14} So one that goeth to a sinner, and is defiled with
him in his sins, who will pity?
{12:15} For a while he will abide with thee, but if thou
begin to fall, he will not tarry.
{12:16} An enemy speaketh sweetly with his lips, but in
his heart he imagineth how to throw thee into a pit: he will
weep with his eyes, but if he find opportunity, he will not be
satisfied with blood.
{12:17} If adversity come upon thee, thou shalt find him
there first; and though he pretend to help thee, yet shall he
undermine thee.
{12:18} He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and
Page 607 Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
whisper much, and change his countenance.
{13:1} He that toucheth pitch shall be defiled therewith;
and he that hath fellowship with a proud man shall be like
unto him.
{13:2} Burden not thyself above thy power while thou
livest; and have no fellowship with one that is mightier and
richer than thyself: for how agree the kettle and the earthen
pot together? for if the one be smitten against the other, it
shall be broken.
{13:3} The rich man hath done wrong, and yet he
threateneth withal: the poor is wronged, and he must intreat
also.
{13:4} If thou be for his profit, he will use thee: but if
thou have nothing, he will forsake thee.
{13:5} If thou have any thing, he will live with thee: yea,
he will make thee bare, and will not be sorry for it.
{13:6} If he have need of thee, he will deceive thee, and
smile upon thee, and put thee in hope; he will speak thee
fair, and say, What wantest thou?
{13:7} And he will shame thee by his meats, until he have
drawn thee dry twice or thrice, and at the last he will laugh
thee to scorn afterward, when he seeth thee, he will forsake
thee, and shake his head at thee.
{13:8} Beware that thou be not deceived and brought
down in thy jollity.
{13:9} If thou be invited of a mighty man, withdraw
thyself, and so much the more will he invite thee.
{13:10} Press thou not upon him, lest thou be put back;
stand not far off, lest thou be forgotten.
{13:11} Affect not to be made equal unto him in talk, and
believe not his many words: for with much communication
will he tempt thee, and smiling upon thee will get out thy
secrets:
{13:12} But cruelly he will lay up thy words, and will not
spare to do thee hurt, and to put thee in prison.
{13:13} Observe, and take good heed, for thou walkest in
peril of thy overthrowing: when thou hearest these things,
awake in thy sleep.
{13:14} Love the Lord all thy life, and call upon him for
thy salvation.
{13:15} Every beast loveth his like, and every man loveth
his neighbor.
{13:16} All flesh consorteth according to kind, and a man
will cleave to his like.
{13:17} What fellowship hath the wolf with the lamb? so
the sinner with the godly.
{13:18} What agreement is there between the hyena and a
dog? and what peace between the rich and the poor?
{13:19} As the wild ass is the lion’s prey in the
wilderness: so the rich eat up the poor.
{13:20} As the proud hate humility: so doth the rich abhor
the poor.
{13:21} A rich man beginning to fall is held up of his
friends: but a poor man being down is thrust away by his
friends.
{13:22} When a rich man is fallen, he hath many helpers:
he speaketh things not to be spoken, and yet men justify
him: the poor man slipped, and yet they rebuked him too; he
spake wisely, and could have no place.
{13:23} When a rich man speaketh, every man holdeth his
tongue, and, look, what he saith, they extol it to the clouds:
but if the poor man speak, they say, What fellow is this? and
if he stumble, they will help to overthrow him.
{13:24} Riches are good unto him that hath no sin, and
poverty is evil in the mouth of the ungodly.
{13:25} The heart of a man changeth his countenance,
whether it be for good or evil: and a merry heart maketh a
cheerful countenance.
{13:26} A cheerful countenance is a token of a heart that
is in prosperity; and the finding out of parables is a
wearisome labour of the mind.
{14:1} Blessed is the man that hath not slipped with his
mouth, and is not pricked with the multitude of sins.
{14:2} Blessed is he whose conscience hath not
condemned him, and who is not fallen from his hope in the
Lord.
{14:3} Riches are not comely for a niggard: and what
should an envious man do with money?
{14:4} He that gathereth by defrauding his own soul
gathereth for others, that shall spend his goods riotously.
{14:5} He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be
good? he shall not take pleasure in his goods.
{14:6} There is none worse than he that envieth himself;
and this is a recompence of his wickedness.
{14:7} And if he doeth good, he doeth it unwillingly; and
at the last he will declare his wickedness.
{14:8} The envious man hath a wicked eye; he turneth
away his face, and despiseth men.
{14:9} A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his
portion; and the iniquity of the wicked drieth up his soul.
{14:10} A wicked eye envieth [his] bread, and he is a
niggard at his table.
{14:11} My son, according to thy ability do good to
thyself, and give the Lord his due offering.
{14:12} Remember that death will not be long in coming,
and that the covenant of the grave is not shewed unto thee.
{14:13} Do good unto thy friend before thou die, and
according to thy ability stretch out thy hand and give to him.
{14:14} Defraud not thyself of the good day, and let not
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Page 608
the part of a good desire overpass thee.
{14:15} Shalt thou not leave thy travails unto another?
and thy labours to be divided by lot?
{14:16} Give, and take, and sanctify thy soul; for there is
no seeking of dainties in the grave.
{14:17} All flesh waxeth old as a garment: for the
covenant from the beginning is, Thou shalt die the death.
{14:18} As of the green leaves on a thick tree, some fall,
and some grow; so is the generation of flesh and blood, one
cometh to an end, and another is born.
{14:19} Every work rotteth and consumeth away, and the
worker thereof shall go withal.
{14:20} Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things
in wisdom, and that reasoneth of holy things by his
understanding. ing.
{14:21} He that considereth her ways in his heart shall
also have understanding in her secrets.
{14:22} Go after her as one that traceth, and lie in wait in
her ways.
{14:23} He that prieth in at her windows shall also
hearken at her doors.
{14:24} He that doth lodge near her house shall also
fasten a pin in her walls.
{14:25} He shall pitch his tent nigh unto her, and shall
lodge in a lodging where good things are.
{14:26} He shall set his children under her shelter, and
shall lodge under her branches.
{14:27} By her he shall be covered from heat, and in her
glory shall he dwell.
{15:1} He that feareth the Lord will do good, and he that
hath the knowledge of the law shall obtain her.
{15:2} And as a mother shall she meet him, and receive
him as a wife married of a virgin.
{15:3} With the bread of understanding shall she feed
him, and give him the water of wisdom to drink.
{15:4} He shall be stayed upon her, and shall not be
moved; and shall rely upon her, and shall not be confounded.
{15:5} She shall exalt him above his neighbours, and in
the midst of the congregation shall she open his mouth.
{15:6} He shall find joy and a crown of gladness, and she
shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name.
{15:7} But foolish men shall not attain unto her, and
sinners shall not see her.
{15:8} For she is far from pride, and men that are liars
cannot remember her.
{15:9} Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner, for it
was not sent him of the Lord.
{15:10} For praise shall be uttered in wisdom, and the
Lord will prosper it.
{15:11} Say not thou, It is through the Lord that I fell
away: for thou oughtest not to do the things that he hateth.
{15:12} Say not thou, He hath caused me to err: for he
hath no need of the sinful man.
{15:13} The Lord hateth all abomination; and they that
fear God love it not.
{15:14} He himself made man from the beginning, and
left him in the hand of his counsel;
{15:15} If thou wilt, to keep the commandments, and to
perform acceptable faithfulness.
{15:16} He hath set fire and water before thee: stretch
forth thy hand unto whether thou wilt.
{15:17} Before man is life and death; and whether him
liketh shall be given him.
{15:18} For the wisdom of the Lord is great, and he is
mighty in power, and beholdeth all things:
{15:19} And his eyes are upon them that fear him, and he
knoweth every work of man.
{15:20} He hath commanded no man to do wickedly,
neither hath he given any man licence to sin.
{16:1} Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children,
neither delight in ungodly sons.
{16:2} Though they multiply, rejoice not in them, except
the fear of the Lord be with them.
{16:3} Trust not thou in their life, neither respect their
multitude: for one that is just is better than a thousand; and
better it is to die without children, than to have them that are
ungodly.
{16:4} For by one that hath understanding shall the city
be replenished: but the kindred of the wicked shall speedily
become desolate.
{16:5} Many such things have I seen with mine eyes, and
mine ear hath heard greater things than these.
{16:6} In the congregation of the ungodly shall a fire be
kindled; and in a rebellious nation wrath is set on fire.
{16:7} He was not pacified toward the old giants, who fell
away in the strength of their foolishness.
{16:8} Neither spared he the place where Lot sojourned,
but abhorred them for their pride.
{16:9} He pitied not the people of perdition, who were
taken away in their sins:
{16:10} Nor the six hundred thousand footmen, who were
gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.
{16:11} And if there be one stiffnecked among the
people, it is marvel if he escape unpunished: for mercy and
wrath are with him; he is mighty to forgive, and to pour out
Page 609 Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
displeasure.
{16:12} As his mercy is great, so is his correction also: he
judgeth a man according to his works
{16:13} The sinner shall not escape with his spoils: and
the patience of the godly shall not be frustrate.
{16:14} Make way for every work of mercy: for every
man shall find according to his works.
{16:15} The Lord hardened Pharaoh, that he should not
know him, that his powerful works might be known to the
world.
{16:16} His mercy is manifest to every creature; and he
hath separated his light from the darkness with an adamant.
{16:17} Say not thou, I will hide myself from the Lord:
shall any remember me from above? I shall not be
remembered among so many people: for what is my soul
among such an infinite number of creatures?
{16:18} Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens,
the deep, and the earth, and all that therein is, shall be
moved when he shall visit.
{16:19} The mountains also and foundations of the earth
be shaken with trembling, when the Lord looketh upon them.
{16:20} No heart can think upon these things worthily:
and who is able to conceive his ways?
{16:21} It is a tempest which no man can see: for the
most part of his works are hid.
{16:22} Who can declare the works of his justice? or who
can endure them? for his covenant is afar off, and the trial
of all things is in the end.
{16:23} He that wanteth understanding will think upon
vain things: and a foolish man erring imagineth follies.
{16:24} by son, hearken unto me, and learn knowledge,
and mark my words with thy heart.
{16:25} I will shew forth doctrine in weight, and declare
his knowledge exactly.
{16:26} The works of the Lord are done in judgment from
the beginning: and from the time he made them he disposed
the parts thereof.
{16:27} He garnished his works for ever, and in his hand
are the chief of them unto all generations: they neither
labour, nor are weary, nor cease from their works.
{16:28} None of them hindereth another, and they shall
never disobey his word.
{16:29} After this the Lord looked upon the earth, and
filled it with his blessings.
{16:30} With all manner of living things hath he covered
the face thereof; and they shall return into it again.
{17:1} The Lord created man of the earth, and turned him
into it again.
{17:2} He gave them few days, and a short time, and
power also over the things therein.
{17:3} He endued them with strength by themselves, and
made them according to his image,
{17:4} And put the fear of man upon all flesh, and gave
him dominion over beasts and fowls.
{17:5} They received the use of the five operations of the
Lord, and in the sixth place he imparted them
understanding, and in the seventh speech, an interpreter of
the cogitations thereof.
{17:6} Counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, ears, and a heart,
gave he them to understand.
{17:7} Withal he filled them with the knowledge of
understanding, and shewed them good and evil.
{17:8} He set his eye upon their hearts, that he might
shew them the greatness of his works.
{17:9} He gave them to glory in his marvellous acts for
ever, that they might declare his works with understanding.
{17:10} And the elect shall praise his holy name.
{17:11} Beside this he gave them knowledge, and the law
of life for an heritage.
{17:12} He made an everlasting covenant with them, and
shewed them his judgments.
{17:13} Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their
ears heard his glorious voice.
{17:14} And he said unto them, Beware of all
unrighteousness; and he gave every man commandment
concerning his neighbour.
{17:15} Their ways are ever before him, and shall not be
hid from his eyes.
{17:16} Every man from his youth is given to evil; neither
could they make to themselves fleshy hearts for stony.
{17:17} For in the division of the nations of the whole
earth he set a ruler over every people; but Israel is the
Lord’s portion:
{17:18} Whom, being his firstborn, he nourisheth with
discipline, and giving him the light of his love doth not
forsake him.
{17:19} Therefore all their works are as the sun before
him, and his eyes are continually upon their ways.
{17:20} None of their unrighteous deeds are hid from
him, but all their sins are before the Lord
{17:21} But the Lord being gracious and knowing his
workmanship, neither left nor forsook them, but spared
them.
{17:22} The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and he
will keep the good deeds of man as the apple of the eye, and
give repentance to his sons and daughters.
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Page 610
{17:23} Afterwards he will rise up and reward them, and
render their recompence upon their heads.
{17:24} But unto them that repent, he granted them
return, and comforted those that failed in patience.
{17:25} Return unto the Lord, and forsake thy sins, make
thy prayer before his face, and offend less.
{17:26} Turn again to the most High, and turn away from
iniquity: for he will lead thee out of darkness into the light
of health, and hate thou abomination vehemently.
{17:27} Who shall praise the most High in the grave,
instead of them which live and give thanks?
{17:28} Thanksgiving perisheth from the dead, as from
one that is not: the living and sound in heart shall praise the
Lord.
{17:29} How great is the lovingkindness of the Lord our
God, and his compassion unto such as turn unto him in
holiness!
{17:30} For all things cannot be in men, because the son
of man is not immortal.
{17:31} What is brighter than the sun? yet the light
thereof faileth; and flesh and blood will imagine evil.
{17:32} He vieweth the power of the height of heaven;
and all men are but earth and ashes.
{18:1} He that liveth for ever Hath created all things in
general.
{18:2} The Lord only is righteous, and there is none other
but he,
{18:3} Who governeth the world with the palm of his
hand, and all things obey his will: for he is the King of all,
by his power dividing holy things among them from profane.
{18:4} To whom hath he given power to declare his
works? and who shall find out his noble acts?
{18:5} Who shall number the strength of his majesty? and
who shall also tell out his mercies?
{18:6} As for the wondrous works of the Lord, there may
nothing be taken from them, neither may any thing be put
unto them, neither can the ground of them be found out.
{18:7} When a man hath done, then he beginneth; and
when he leaveth off, then he shall be doubtful.
{18:8} What is man, and whereto serveth he? what is his
good, and what is his evil?
{18:9} The number of a man’s days at the most are an
hundred years.
{18:10} As a drop of water unto the sea, and a gravelstone
in comparison of the sand; so are a thousand years to the
days of eternity.
{18:11} Therefore is God patient with them, and poureth
forth his mercy upon them.
{18:12} He saw and perceived their end to be evil;
therefore he multiplied his compassion.
{18:13} The mercy of man is toward his neighbour; but
the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh: he reproveth, and
nurtureth, and teacheth and bringeth again, as a shepherd his
flock.
{18:14} He hath mercy on them that receive discipline,
and that diligently seek after his judgments.
{18:15} My son, blemish not thy good deeds, neither use
uncomfortable words when thou givest any thing.
{18:16} Shall not the dew asswage the heat? so is a word
better than a gift.
{18:17} Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are
with a gracious man.
{18:18} A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the
envious consumeth the eyes.
{18:19} Learn before thou speak, and use physick or ever
thou be sick.
{18:20} Before judgment examine thyself, and in the day
of visitation thou shalt find mercy.
{18:21} Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the
time of sins shew repentance.
{18:22} Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due
time, and defer not until death to be justified.
{18:23} Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not
as one that tempteth the Lord.
{18:24} Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and
the time of vengeance, when he shall turn away his face.
{18:25} When thou hast enough, remember the time of
hunger: and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and
need.
{18:26} From the morning until the evening the time is
changed, and all things are soon done before the Lord.
{18:27} A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the
day of sinning he will beware of offence: but a fool will not
observe time.
{18:28} Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom,
and will give praise unto him that found her.
{18:29} They that were of understanding in sayings
became also wise themselves, and poured forth exquisite
parables.
{18:30} Go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from
thine appetites.
{18:31} If thou givest thy soul the desires that please her,
she will make thee a laughingstock to thine enemies that
malign thee.
{18:32} Take not pleasure in much good cheer, neither be
tied to the expence thereof.
Page 611 Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
{18:33} Be not made a beggar by banqueting upon
borrowing, when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou
shalt lie in wait for thine own life, and be talked on.
{19:1} A labouring man that A is given to drunkenness
shall not be rich: and he that contemneth small things shall
fall by little and little.
{19:2} Wine and women will make men of understanding
to fall away: and he that cleaveth to harlots will become
impudent.
{19:3} Moths and worms shall have him to heritage, and a
bold man shall be taken away.
{19:4} He that is hasty to give credit is lightminded; and
he that sinneth shall offend against his own soul.
{19:5} Whoso taketh pleasure in wickedness shall be
condemned: but he that resisteth pleasures crowneth his life.
{19:6} He that can rule his tongue shall live without
strife; and he that hateth babbling shall have less evil.
{19:7} Rehearse not unto another that which is told unto
thee, and thou shalt fare never the worse.
{19:8} Whether it be to friend or foe, talk not of other
men’s lives; and if thou canst without offence, reveal them
not.
{19:9} For he heard and observed thee, and when time
cometh he will hate thee.
{19:10} If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee; and
be bold, it will not burst thee.
{19:11} A fool travaileth with a word, as a woman in
labour of a child.
{19:12} As an arrow that sticketh in a man’s thigh, so is a
word within a fool’s belly.
{19:13} Admonish a friend, it may be he hath not done it:
and if he have done it, that he do it no more.
{19:14} Admonish thy friend, it may be he hath not said
it: and if he have, that he speak it not again.
{19:15} Admonish a friend: for many times it is a slander,
and believe not every tale.
{19:16} There is one that slippeth in his speech, but not
from his heart; and who is he that hath not offended with his
tongue?
{19:17} Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten
him; and not being angry, give place to the law of the most
High.
{19:18} The fear of the Lord is the first step to be
accepted [of him,] and wisdom obtaineth his love.
{19:19} The knowledge of the commandments of the
Lord is the doctrine of life: and they that do things that
please him shall receive the fruit of the tree of immortality.
{19:20} The fear of the Lord is all wisdom; and in all
wisdom is the performance of the law, and the knowledge
of his omnipotency.
{19:21} If a servant say to his master, I will not do as it
pleaseth thee; though afterward he do it, he angereth him
that nourisheth him.
{19:22} The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom,
neither at any time the counsel of sinners prudence.
{19:23} There is a wickedness, and the same an
abomination; and there is a fool wanting in wisdom.
{19:24} He that hath small understanding, and feareth
God, is better than one that hath much wisdom, and
transgresseth the law of the most High.
{19:25} There is an exquisite subtilty, and the same is
unjust; and there is one that turneth aside to make judgment
appear; and there is a wise man that justifieth in judgment.
{19:26} There is a wicked man that hangeth down his
head sadly; but inwardly he is full of deceit,
{19:27} Casting down his countenance, and making as if
he heard not: where he is not known, he will do thee a
mischief before thou be aware.
{19:28} And if for want of power he be hindered from
sinning, yet when he findeth opportunity he will do evil.
{19:29} A man may be known by his look, and one that
hath understanding by his countenance, when thou meetest
him.
{19:30} A man’s attire, and excessive laughter, and gait,
shew what he is.
{20:1} There is a reproof that is not comely: again, some
man holdeth his tongue, and he is wise.
{20:2} It is much better to reprove, than to be angry
secretly: and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved
from hurt.
{20:3} How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew
repentance! for so shalt thou escape wilful sin.
{20:4} As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; so
is he that executeth judgment with violence.
{20:5} There is one that keepeth silence, and is found
wise: and another by much babbling becometh hateful.
{20:6} Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not
to answer: and some keepeth silence, knowing his time.
{20:7} A wise man will hold his tongue till he see
opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time.
{20:8} He that useth many words shall be abhorred; and
he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.
{20:9} There is a sinner that hath good success in evil
things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss.
{20:10} There is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there
is a gift whose recompence is double.
{20:11} There is an abasement because of glory; and
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Page 612
there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate.
{20:12} There is that buyeth much for a little, and
repayeth it sevenfold.
{20:13} A wise man by his words maketh him beloved:
but the graces of fools shall be poured out.
{20:14} The gift of a fool shall do thee no good when
thou hast it; neither yet of the envious for his necessity: for
he looketh to receive many things for one.
{20:15} He giveth little, and upbraideth much; he openeth
his mouth like a crier; to day he lendeth, and to morrow will
he ask it again: such an one is to be hated of God and man.
{20:16} The fool saith, I have no friends, I have no thank
for all my good deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil
of me.
{20:17} How oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to
scorn! for he knoweth not aright what it is to have; and it is
all one unto him as if he had it not.
{20:18} To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip
with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come
speedily.
{20:19} An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth
of the unwise.
{20:20} A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh
out of a fool’s mouth; for he will not speak it in due season.
{20:21} There is that is hindered from sinning through
want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.
{20:22} There is that destroyeth his own soul through
bashfulness, and by accepting of persons overthroweth
himself.
{20:23} There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his
friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.
{20:24} A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually
in the mouth of the untaught.
{20:25} A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to
lie: but they both shall have destruction to heritage.
{20:26} The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his
shame is ever with him.
{20:27} A wise man shall promote himself to honour with
his words: and he that hath understanding will please great
men.
{20:28} He that tilleth his land shall increase his heap:
and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.
{20:29} Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and
stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.
{20:30} Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded
up, what profit is in them both?
{20:31} Better is he that hideth his folly than a man that
hideth his wisdom.
{20:32} Necessary patience in seeking ing the Lord is
better than he that leadeth his life without a guide.
{21:1} My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more, but ask
pardon for thy former sins.
{21:2} Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent: for if
thou comest too near it, it will bite thee: the teeth thereof are
as the teeth of a lion, slaying the souls of men.
{21:3} All iniquity is as a two edged sword, the wounds
whereof cannot be healed.
{21:4} To terrify and do wrong will waste riches: thus the
house of proud men shall be made desolate.
{21:5} A prayer out of a poor man’s mouth reacheth to
the ears of God, and his judgment cometh speedily.
{21:6} He that hateth to be reproved is in the way of
sinners: but he that feareth the Lord will repent from his
heart.
{21:7} An eloquent man is known far and near; but a man
of understanding knoweth when he slippeth.
{21:8} He that buildeth his house with other men’s money
is like one that gathereth himself stones for the tomb of his
burial.
{21:9} The congregation of the wicked is like tow
wrapped together: and the end of them is a flame of fire to
destroy them.
{21:10} The way of sinners is made plain with stones, but
at the end thereof is the pit of hell.
{21:11} He that keepeth the law of the Lord getteth the
understanding thereof: and the perfection of the fear of the
Lord is wisdom.
{21:12} He that is not wise will not be taught: but there is
a wisdom which multiplieth bitterness.
{21:13} The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a
flood: and his counsel is like a pure fountain of life.
{21:14} The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel,
and he will hold no knowledge as long as he liveth.
{21:15} If a skilful man hear a wise word, he will
commend it, and add unto it: but as soon as one of no
understanding heareth it, it displeaseth him, and he casteth it
behind his back.
{21:16} The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way:
but grace shall be found in the lips of the wise.
{21:17} They enquire at the mouth of the wise man in the
congregation, and they shall ponder his words in their heart.
{21:18} As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a
fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as talk without
sense.
{21:19} Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and
like manacles on the right hand.
{21:20} A fool lifteth up his voice with laughter; but a
Page 613 Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
wise man doth scarce smile a little.
{21:21} Learning is unto a wise man as an ornament of
gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.
{21:22} A foolish man’s foot is soon in his [neighbour’s]
house: but a man of experience is ashamed of him.
{21:23} A fool will peep in at the door into the house: but
he that is well nurtured will stand without.
{21:24} It is the rudeness of a man to hearken at the door:
but a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.
{21:25} The lips of talkers will be telling such things as
pertain not unto them: but the words of such as have
understanding are weighed in the balance.
{21:26} The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the
mouth of the wise is in their heart.
{21:27} When the ungodly curseth Satan, he curseth his
own soul.
{21:28} A whisperer defileth his own soul, and is hated
wheresoever he dwelleth.
{22:1} A slothful man is compared to a filthy stone, and
every one will hiss him out to his disgrace.
{22:2} A slothful man is compared to the filth of a
dunghill: every man that takes it up will shake his hand.
{22:3} An evilnurtured man is the dishonour of his father
that begat him: and a [foolish] daughter is born to his loss.
{22:4} A wise daughter shall bring an inheritance to her
husband: but she that liveth dishonestly is her father’s
heaviness.
{22:5} She that is bold dishonoureth both her father and
her husband, but they both shall despise her.
{22:6} A tale out of season [is as] musick in mourning:
but stripes and correction of wisdom are never out of time.
{22:7} Whoso teacheth a fool is as one that glueth a
potsherd together, and as he that waketh one from a sound
sleep.
{22:8} He that telleth a tale to a fool speaketh to one in a
slumber: when he hath told his tale, he will say, What is the
matter?
{22:9} If children live honestly, and have wherewithal,
they shall cover the baseness of their parents.
{22:10} But children, being haughty, through disdain and
want of nurture do stain the nobility of their kindred.
{22:11} Weep for the dead, for he hath lost the light: and
weep for the fool, for he wanteth understanding: make little
weeping for the dead, for he is at rest: but the life of the fool
is worse than death.
{22:12} Seven days do men mourn for him that is dead;
but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of his life.
{22:13} Talk not much with a fool, and go not to him that
hath no understanding: beware of him, lest thou have
trouble, and thou shalt never be defiled with his fooleries:
depart from him, and thou shalt find rest, and never be
disquieted with madness.
{22:14} What is heavier than lead? and what is the name
thereof, but a fool?
{22:15} Sand, and salt, and a mass of iron, is easier to
bear, than a man without understanding.
{22:16} As timber girt and bound together in a building
cannot be loosed with shaking: so the heart that is stablished
by advised counsel shall fear at no time.
{22:17} A heart settled upon a thought of understanding
is as a fair plaistering on the wall of a gallery.
{22:18} Pales set on an high place will never stand
against the wind: so a fearful heart in the imagination of a
fool cannot stand against any fear.
{22:19} He that pricketh the eye will make tears to fall:
and he that pricketh the heart maketh it to shew her
knowledge.
{22:20} Whoso casteth a stone at the birds frayeth them
away: and he that upbraideth his friend breaketh friendship.
{22:21} Though thou drewest a sword at thy friend, yet
despair not: for there may be a returning [to favour.]
{22:22} If thou hast opened thy mouth against thy friend,
fear not; for there may be a reconciliation: except for
upbraiding, or pride, or disclosing of secrets, or a
treacherous wound: for for these things every friend will
depart.
{22:23} Be faithful to thy neighbour in his poverty, that
thou mayest rejoice in his prosperity: abide stedfast unto
him in the time of his trouble, that thou mayest be heir with
him in his heritage: for a mean estate is not always to be
contemned: nor the rich that is foolish to be had in
admiration.
{22:24} As the vapour and smoke of a furnace goeth
before the fire; so reviling before blood.
{22:25} I will not be ashamed to defend a friend; neither
will I hide myself from him.
{22:26} And if any evil happen unto me by him, every
one that heareth it will beware of him.
{22:27} Who shall set a watch before my mouth, and a
seal of wisdom upon my lips, that I fall not suddenly by
them, and that my tongue destroy me not?
{23:1} O Lord, Father and Governor of all my whole life,
leave me not to their counsels, and let me not fall by them.
{23:2} Who will set scourges over my thoughts, and the
discipline of wisdom over mine heart? that they spare me
not for mine ignorances, and it pass not by my sins:
{23:3} Lest mine ignorances increase, and my sins
abound to my destruction, and I fall before mine
adversaries, and mine enemy rejoice over me, whose hope
is far from thy mercy.
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Page 614
{23:4} O Lord, Father and God of my life, give me not a
proud look, but turn away from thy servants always a
haughty mind.
{23:5} Turn away from me vain hopes and
concupiscence, and thou shalt hold him up that is desirous
always to serve thee.
{23:6} Let not the greediness of the belly nor lust of the
flesh take hold of me; and give not over me thy servant into
an impudent mind.
{23:7} Hear, O ye children, the discipline of the mouth:
he that keepeth it shall never be taken in his lips.
{23:8} The sinner shall be left in his foolishness: both the
evil speaker and the proud shall fall thereby.
{23:9} Accustom not thy mouth to swearing; neither use
thyself to the naming of the Holy One.
{23:10} For as a servant that is continually beaten shall
not be without a blue mark: so he that sweareth and nameth
God continually shall not be faultless.
{23:11} A man that useth much swearing shall be filled
with iniquity, and the plague shall never depart from his
house: if he shall offend, his sin shall be upon him: and if he
acknowledge not his sin, he maketh a double offence: and if
he swear in vain, he shall not be innocent, but his house
shall be full of calamities.
{23:12} There is a word that is clothed about with death:
God grant that it be not found in the heritage of Jacob; for
all such things shall be far from the godly, and they shall
not wallow in their sins.
{23:13} Use not thy mouth to intemperate swearing, for
therein is the word of sin.
{23:14} Remember thy father and thy mother, when thou
sittest among great men. Be not forgetful before them, and
so thou by thy custom become a fool, and wish that thou
hadst not been born, and curse they day of thy nativity.
{23:15} The man that is accustomed to opprobrious words
will never be reformed all the days of his life.
{23:16} Two sorts of men multiply sin, and the third will
bring wrath: a hot mind is as a burning fire, it will never be
quenched till it be consumed: a fornicator in the body of his
flesh will never cease till he hath kindled a fire.
{23:17} All bread is sweet to a whoremonger, he will not
leave off till he die.
{23:18} A man that breaketh wedlock, saying thus in his
heart, Who seeth me? I am compassed about with darkness,
the walls cover me, and no body seeth me; what need I to
fear? the most High will not remember my sins:
{23:19} Such a man only feareth the eyes of men, and
knoweth not that the eyes of the Lord are ten thousand times
brighter than the sun, beholding all the ways of men, and
considering the most secret parts.
{23:20} He knew all things ere ever they were created; so
also after they were perfected he looked upon them all.
{23:21} This man shall be punished in the streets of the
city, and where he suspecteth not he shall be taken.
{23:22} Thus shall it go also with the wife that leaveth
her husband, and bringeth in an heir by another.
{23:23} For first, she hath disobeyed the law of the most
High; and secondly, she hath trespassed against her own
husband; and thirdly, she hath played the whore in adultery,
and brought children by another man.
{23:24} She shall be brought out into the congregation,
and inquisition shall be made of her children.
{23:25} Her children shall not take root, and her branches
shall bring forth no fruit.
{23:26} She shall leave her memory to be cursed, and her
reproach shall not be blotted out.
{23:27} And they that remain shall know that there is
nothing better than the fear of the Lord, and that there is
nothing sweeter than to take heed unto the commandments
of the Lord.
{23:28} It is great glory to follow the Lord, and to be
received of him is long life.
{24:1} Wisdom shall praise herself, and shall glory in the
midst of her people.
{24:2} In the congregation of the most High shall she
open her mouth, and triumph before his power.
{24:3} I came out of the mouth of the most High, and
covered the earth as a cloud.
{24:4} I dwelt in high places, and my throne is in a
cloudy pillar.
{24:5} I alone compassed the circuit of heaven, and
walked in the bottom of the deep.
{24:6} In the waves of the sea and in all the earth, and in
every people and nation, I got a possession.
{24:7} With all these I sought rest: and in whose
inheritance shall I abide?
{24:8} So the Creator of all things gave me a
commandment, and he that made me caused my tabernacle
to rest, and said, Let thy dwelling be in Jacob, and thine
inheritance in Israel.
{24:9} He created me from the beginning before the
world, and I shall never fail.
{24:10} In the holy tabernacle I served before him; and so
was I established in Sion.
{24:11} Likewise in the beloved city he gave me rest, and
in Jerusalem was my power.
{24:12} And I took root in an honourable people, even in
the portion of the Lord’s inheritance.
{24:13} I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, and as a
cypress tree upon the mountains of Hermon.
Page 615 Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
{24:14} I was exalted like a palm tree in En-gaddi, and as
a rose plant in Jericho, as a fair olive tree in a pleasant field,
and grew up as a plane tree by the water.
{24:15} I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon and
aspalathus, and I yielded a pleasant odour like the best
myrrh, as galbanum, and onyx, and sweet storax, and as the
fume of frankincense in the tabernacle.
{24:16} As the turpentine tree I stretched out my
branches, and my branches are the branches of honour and
grace.
{24:17} As the vine brought I forth pleasant savour, and
my flowers are the fruit of honour and riches.
{24:18} I am the mother of fair love, and fear, and
knowledge, and holy hope: I therefore, being eternal, am
given to all my children which are named of him.
{24:19} Come unto me, all ye that be desirous of me, and
fill yourselves with my fruits.
{24:20} For my memorial is sweeter than honey, and
mine inheritance than the honeycomb.
{24:21} They that eat me shall yet be hungry, and they
that drink me shall yet be thirsty.
{24:22} He that obeyeth me shall never be confounded,
and they that work by me shall not do amiss.
{24:23} All these things are the book of the covenant of
the most high God, even the law which Moses commanded
for an heritage unto the congregations of Jacob.
{24:24} Faint not to be strong in the Lord; that he may
confirm you, cleave unto him: for the Lord Almighty is God
alone, and beside him there is no other Saviour.
{24:25} He filleth all things with his wisdom, as Phison
and as Tigris in the time of the new fruits.
{24:26} He maketh the understanding to abound like
Euphrates, and as Jordan in the time of the harvest.
{24:27} He maketh the doctrine of knowledge appear as
the light, and as Geon in the time of vintage.
{24:28} The first man knew her not perfectly: no more
shall the last find her out.
{24:29} For her thoughts are more than the sea, and her
counsels profounder than the great deep.
{24:30} I also came out as a brook from a river, and as a
conduit into a garden.
{24:31} I said, I will water my best garden, and will water
abundantly my garden bed: and, lo, my brook became a
river, and my river became a sea.
{24:32} I will yet make doctrine to shine as the morning,
and will send forth her light afar off.
{24:33} I will yet pour out doctrine as prophecy, and
leave it to all ages for ever.
{24:34} Behold that I have not laboured for myself only,
but for all them that seek wisdom.
{25:1} In three things I was beautified, and stood up
beautiful both before God and men: the unity of brethren,
the love of neighbours, a man and a wife that agree together.
{25:2} Three sorts of men my soul hateth, and I am
greatly offended at their life: a poor man that is proud, a
rich man that is a liar, and an old adulterer that doateth.
{25:3} If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how
canst thou find any thing in thine age?
{25:4} O how comely a thing is judgment for gray hairs,
and for ancient men to know counsel!
{25:5} O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and
understanding and counsel to men of honour.
{25:6} Much experience is the crown of old men, and the
fear of God is their glory.
{25:7} There be nine things which I have judged in mine
heart to be happy, and the tenth I will utter with my tongue:
A man that hath joy of his children; and he that liveth to see
the fall of his enemy:
{25:8} Well is him that dwelleth with a wife of
understanding, and that hath not slipped with his tongue,
and that hath not served a man more unworthy than himself:
{25:9} Well is him that hath found prudence, and he that
speaketh in the ears of them that will hear:
{25:10} O how great is he that findeth wisdom! yet is
there none above him that feareth the Lord.
{25:11} But the love of the Lord passeth all things for
illumination: he that holdeth it, whereto shall he be likened?
{25:12} The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love:
and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him.
{25:13} [Give me] any plague, but the plague of the heart:
and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:
{25:14} And any affliction, but the affliction from them
that hate me: and any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.
{25:15} There is no head above the head of a serpent; and
there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.
{25:16} I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than
to keep house with a wicked woman.
{25:17} The wickedness of a woman changeth her face,
and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth.
{25:18} Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and
when he heareth it shall sigh bitterly.
{25:19} All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a
woman: let the portion of a sinner fall upon her.
{25:20} As the climbing up a sandy way is to the feet of
the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man.
{25:21} Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire
her not for pleasure.
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Page 616
{25:22} A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of
anger, impudence, and much reproach.
{25:23} A wicked woman abateth the courage, maketh an
heavy countenance and a wounded heart: a woman that will
not comfort her husband in distress maketh weak hands and
feeble knees.
{25:24} Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and
through her we all die.
{25:25} Give the water no passage; neither a wicked
woman liberty to gad abroad.
{25:26} If she go not as thou wouldest have her, cut her
off from thy flesh, and give her a bill of divorce, and let her
go.
{26:1} Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife, for
the number of his days shall be double.
{26:2} A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he
shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.
{26:3} A good wife is a good portion, which shall be
given in the portion of them that fear the Lord.
{26:4} Whether a man be rich or poor, if he have a good
heart toward the Lord, he shall at all times rejoice with a
cheerful countenance.
{26:5} There be three things that mine heart feareth; and
for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the
gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false
accusation: all these are worse than death.
{26:6} But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is
jealous over another woman, and a scourge of the tongue
which communicateth with all.
{26:7} An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that
hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.
{26:8} A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth
great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.
{26:9} The whoredom of a woman may be known in her
haughty looks and eyelids.
{26:10} If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly,
lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty.
{26:11} Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if
she trespass against thee.
{26:12} She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller
when he hath found a fountain, and drink of every water
near her: by every hedge will she sit down, and open her
quiver against every arrow.
{26:13} The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and
her discretion will fatten his bones.
{26:14} A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord;
and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well
instructed.
{26:15} A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double
grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued.
{26:16} As the sun when it ariseth in the high heaven; so
is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house.
{26:17} As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick; so
is the beauty of the face in ripe age.
{26:18} As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of
silver; so are the fair feet with a constant heart.
{26:19} My son, keep the flower of thine age sound; and
give not thy strength to strangers.
{26:20} When thou hast gotten a fruitful possession
through all the field, sow it with thine own seed, trusting in
the goodness of thy stock.
{26:21} So thy race which thou leavest shall be
magnified, having the confidence of their good descent.
{26:22} An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a
married woman is a tower against death to her husband.
{26:23} A wicked woman is given as a portion to a
wicked man: but a godly woman is given to him that feareth
the Lord.
{26:24} A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an
honest woman will reverence her husband.
{26:25} A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog;
but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord.
{26:26} A woman that honoureth her husband shall be
judged wise of all; but she that dishonoureth him in her
pride shall be counted ungodly of all.
{26:27} A loud crying woman and a scold shall be sought
out to drive away the enemies.
{26:28} There be two things that grieve my heart; and the
third maketh me angry: a man of war that suffereth poverty;
and men of understanding that are not set by; and one that
returneth from righteousness to sin; the Lord prepareth such
an one for the sword.
{26:29} A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing
wrong; and an huckster shall not be freed from sin.
{27:1} Many have sinned for a small matter; and he that
seeketh for abundance will turn his eyes away.
{27:2} As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the
stones; so doth sin stick close between buying and selling.
{27:3} Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of
the Lord, his house shall soon be overthrown.
{27:4} As when one sifteth with a sieve, the refuse
remaineth; so the filth of man in his talk.
{27:5} The furnace proveth the potter’s vessels; so the
trial of man is in his reasoning.
{27:6} The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed; so
is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man.
{27:7} Praise no man before thou hearest him speak; for
this is the trial of men.
Page 617 Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
{27:8} If thou followest righteousness, thou shalt obtain
her, and put her on, as a glorious long robe.
{27:9} The birds will resort unto their like; so will truth
return unto them that practise in her.
{27:10} As the lion lieth in wait for the prey; so sin for
them that work iniquity.
{27:11} The discourse of a godly man is always with
wisdom; but a fool changeth as the moon.
{27:12} If thou be among the indiscreet, observe the time;
but be continually among men of understanding.
{27:13} The discourse of fools is irksome, and their sport
is the wantonness of sin.
{27:14} The talk of him that sweareth much maketh the
hair stand upright; and their brawls make one stop his ears.
{27:15} The strife of the proud is bloodshedding, and
their revilings are grievous to the ear.
{27:16} Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit; and
shall never find friend to his mind.
{27:17} Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if
thou betrayest his secrets, follow no more after him.
{27:18} For as a man hath destroyed his enemy; so hast
thou lost the love of thy neighbor.
{27:19} As one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so
hast thou let thy neighbour go, and shalt not get him again
{27:20} Follow after him no more, for he is too far off; he
is as a roe escaped out of the snare.
{27:21} As for a wound, it may be bound up; and after
reviling there may be reconcilement: but he that betrayeth
secrets is without hope.
{27:22} He that winketh with the eyes worketh evil: and
he that knoweth him will depart from him.
{27:23} When thou art present, he will speak sweetly, and
will admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his
mouth, and slander thy sayings.
{27:24} I have hated many things, but nothing like him;
for the Lord will hate him.
{27:25} Whoso casteth a stone on high casteth it on his
own head; and a deceitful stroke shall make wounds.
{27:26} Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that
setteth a trap shall be taken therein.
{27:27} He that worketh mischief, it shall fall upon him,
and he shall not know whence it cometh.
{27:28} Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but
vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for them.
{27:29} They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall
be taken in the snare; and anguish shall consume them
before they die.
{27:30} Malice and wrath, even these are abominations;
and the sinful man shall have them both.
{28:1} He that revengeth shall find vengeance from the
Lord, and he will surely keep his sins [in remembrance.]
{28:2} Forgive thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done
unto thee, so shall thy sins also be forgiven when thou
prayest.
{28:3} One man beareth hatred against another, and doth
he seek pardon from the Lord?
{28:4} He sheweth no mercy to a man, which is like
himself: and doth he ask forgiveness of his own sins?
{28:5} If he that is but flesh nourish hatred, who will
intreat for pardon of his sins?
{28:6} Remember thy end, and let enmity cease;
[remember] corruption and death, and abide in the
commandments.
{28:7} Remember the commandments, and bear no
malice to thy neighbour: [remember] the covenant of the
Highest, and wink at ignorance.
{28:8} Abstain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy
sins: for a furious man will kindle strife,
{28:9} A sinful man disquieteth friends, and maketh
debate among them that be at peace.
{28:10} As the matter of the fire is, so it burneth: and as a
man’s strength is, so is his wrath; and according to his
riches his anger riseth; and the stronger they are which
contend, the more they will be inflamed.
{28:11} An hasty contention kindleth a fire: and an hasty
fighting sheddeth blood.
{28:12} If thou blow the spark, it shall burn: if thou spit
upon it, it shall be quenched: and both these come out of thy
mouth.
{28:13} Curse the whisperer and doubletongued: for such
have destroyed many that were at peace.
{28:14} A backbiting tongue hath disquieted many, and
driven them from nation to nation: strong cities hath it
pulled down, and overthrown the houses of great men.
{28:15} A backbiting tongue hath cast out virtuous
women, and deprived them of their labours.
{28:16} Whoso hearkeneth unto it shall never find rest,
and never dwell quietly.
{28:17} The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh:
but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones.
{28:18} Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: but
not so many as have fallen by the tongue.
{28:19} Well is he that is defended through the venom
thereof; who hath not drawn the yoke thereof, nor hath been
bound in her bands.
{28:20} For the yoke thereof is a yoke of iron, and the
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Page 618
bands thereof are bands of brass.
{28:21} The death thereof is an evil death, the grave were
better than it.
{28:22} It shall not have rule over them that fear God,
neither shall they be burned with the flame thereof.
{28:23} Such as forsake the Lord shall fall into it; and it
shall burn in them, and not be quenched; it shall be sent
upon them as a lion, and devour them as a leopard.
{28:24} Look that thou hedge thy possession about with
thorns, and bind up thy silver and gold,
{28:25} And weigh thy words in a balance, and make a
door and bar for thy mouth.
{28:26} Beware thou slide not by it, lest thou fall before
him that lieth in wait.
{29:1} He that is merciful will lend unto his neighbour;
and he that strengtheneth his hand keepeth the
commandments.
{29:2} Lend to thy neighbour in time of his need, and pay
thou thy neighbour again in due season.
{29:3} Keep thy word, and deal faithfully with him, and
thou shalt always find the thing that is necessary for thee.
{29:4} Many, when a thing was lent them, reckoned it to
be found, and put them to trouble that helped them.
{29:5} Till he hath received, he will kiss a man’s hand;
and for his neighbour’s money he will speak submissly: but
when he should repay, he will prolong the time, and return
words of grief, and complain of the time.
{29:6} If he prevail, he shall hardly receive the half, and
he will count as if he had found it: if not, he hath deprived
him of his money, and he hath gotten him an enemy without
cause: he payeth him with cursings and railings; and for
honour he will pay him disgrace.
{29:7} Many therefore have refused to lend for other
men’s ill dealing, fearing to be defrauded.
{29:8} Yet have thou patience with a man in poor estate,
and delay not to shew him mercy.
{29:9} Help the poor for the commandment’s sake, and
turn him not away because of his poverty.
{29:10} Lose thy money for thy brother and thy friend,
and let it not rust under a stone to be lost.
{29:11} Lay up thy treasure according to the
commandments of the most High, and it shall bring thee
more profit than gold.
{29:12} Shut up alms in thy storehouses: and it shall
deliver thee from all affliction.
{29:13} It shall fight for thee against thine enemies better
than a mighty shield and strong spear.
{29:14} An honest man is surety for his neighbour: but he
that is impudent will forsake him.
{29:15} Forget not the friendship of thy surety, for he
hath given his life for thee.
{29:16} A sinner will overthrow the good estate of his
surety:
{29:17} And he that is of an unthankful mind will leave
him [in danger] that delivered him.
{29:18} Suretiship hath undone many of good estate, and
shaken them as a wave of the sea: mighty men hath it driven
from their houses, so that they wandered among strange
nations.
{29:19} A wicked man transgressing the commandments
of the Lord shall fall into suretiship: and he that undertaketh
and followeth other men’s business for gain shall fall into
suits.
{29:20} Help thy neighbour according to thy power, and
beware that thou thyself fall not into the same.
{29:21} The chief thing for life is water, and bread, and
clothing, and an house to cover shame.
{29:22} Better is the life of a poor man in a mean cottage,
than delicate fare in another man’s house.
{29:23} Be it little or much, hold thee contented, that thou
hear not the reproach of thy house.
{29:24} For it is a miserable life to go from house to
house: for where thou art a stranger, thou darest not open
thy mouth.
{29:25} Thou shalt entertain, and feast, and have no
thanks: moreover thou shalt hear bitter words:
{29:26} Come, thou stranger, and furnish a table, and feed
me of that thou hast ready.
{29:27} Give place, thou stranger, to an honourable man;
my brother cometh to be lodged, and I have need of mine
house.
{29:28} These things are grievous to a man of
understanding; the upbraiding of houseroom, and
reproaching of the lender.
{30:1} He that loveth his son causeth him oft to feel the
rod, that he may have joy of him in the end.
{30:2} He that chastiseth his son shall have joy in him,
and shall rejoice of him among his acquaintance.
{30:3} He that teacheth his son grieveth the enemy: and
before his friends he shall rejoice of him.
{30:4} Though his father die, yet he is as though he were
not dead: for he hath left one behind him that is like himself.
{30:5} While he lived, he saw and rejoiced in him: and
when he died, he was not sorrowful.
{30:6} He left behind him an avenger against his enemies,
and one that shall requite kindness to his friends.
{30:7} He that maketh too much of his son shall bind up
his wounds; and his bowels will be troubled at every cry.
Page 619 Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
{30:8} An horse not broken becometh headstrong: and a
child left to himself will be wilful.
{30:9} Cocker thy child, and he shall make thee afraid:
play with him, and he will bring thee to heaviness.
{30:10} Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow with
him, and lest thou gnash thy teeth in the end.
{30:11} Give him no liberty in his youth, and wink not at
his follies.
{30:12} Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat
him on the sides while he is a child, lest he wax stubborn,
and be disobedient unto thee, and so bring sorrow to thine
heart.
{30:13} Chastise thy son, and hold him to labour, lest his
lewd behaviour be an offence unto thee.
{30:14} Better is the poor, being sound and strong of
constitution, than a rich man that is afflicted in his body.
{30:15} Health and good estate of body are above all
gold, and a strong body above infinite wealth.
{30:16} There is no riches above a sound body, and no
joy above the joy of the heart.
{30:17} Death is better than a bitter life or continual
sickness.
{30:18} Delicates poured upon a mouth shut up are as
messes of meat set upon a grave.
{30:19} What good doeth the offering unto an idol? for
neither can it eat nor smell: so is he that is persecuted of the
Lord.
{30:20} He seeth with his eyes and groaneth, as an
eunuch that embraceth a virgin and sigheth.
{30:21} Give not over thy mind to heaviness, and afflict
not thyself in thine own counsel.
{30:22} The gladness of the heart is the life of man, and
the joyfulness of a man prolongeth his days.
{30:23} Love thine own soul, and comfort thy heart,
remove sorrow far from thee: for sorrow hath killed many,
and there is no profit therein.
{30:24} Envy and wrath shorten the life, and carefulness
bringeth age before the time.
{30:25} A cheerful and good heart will have a care of his
meat and diet.
{31:1} Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the
care thereof driveth away sleep.
{31:2} Watching care will not let a man slumber, as a sore
disease breaketh sleep,
{31:3} The rich hath great labour in gathering riches
together; and when he resteth, he is filled with his delicates.
{31:4} The poor laboureth in his poor estate; and when he
leaveth off, he is still needy.
{31:5} He that loveth gold shall not be justified, and he
that followeth corruption shall have enough thereof.
{31:6} Gold hath been the ruin of many, and their
destruction was present.
{31:7} It is a stumblingblock unto them that sacrifice unto
it, and every fool shall be taken therewith.
{31:8} Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish,
and hath not gone after gold.
{31:9} Who is he? and we will call him blessed: for
wonderful things hath he done among his people.
{31:10} Who hath been tried thereby, and found perfect?
then let him glory. Who might offend, and hath not
offended? or done evil, and hath not done it?
{31:11} His goods shall be established, and the
congregation shall declare his alms.
{31:12} If thou sit at a bountiful table, be not greedy upon
it, and say not, There is much meat on it.
{31:13} Remember that a wicked eye is an evil thing: and
what is created more wicked than an eye? therefore it
weepeth upon every occasion.
{31:14} Stretch not thine hand whithersoever it looketh,
and thrust it not with him into the dish.
{31:15} Judge not thy neighbour by thyself: and be
discreet in every point.
{31:16} Eat as it becometh a man, those things which are
set before thee; and devour note, lest thou be hated.
{31:17} Leave off first for manners’ sake; and be not
unsatiable, lest thou offend.
{31:18} When thou sittest among many, reach not thine
hand out first of all.
{31:19} A very little is sufficient for a man well nurtured,
and he fetcheth not his wind short upon his bed.
{31:20} Sound sleep cometh of moderate eating: he riseth
early, and his wits are with him: but the pain of watching,
and choler, and pangs of the belly, are with an unsatiable
man.
{31:21} And if thou hast been forced to eat, arise, go
forth, vomit, and thou shalt have rest.
{31:22} My son, hear me, and despise me not, and at the
last thou shalt find as I told thee: in all thy works be quick,
so shall there no sickness come unto thee.
{31:23} Whoso is liberal of his meat, men shall speak
well of him; and the report of his good housekeeping will be
believed.
{31:24} But against him that is a niggard of his meat the
whole city shall murmur; and the testimonies of his
niggardness shall not be doubted of.
{31:25} Shew not thy valiantness in wine; for wine hath
destroyed many.
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Page 620
{31:26} The furnace proveth the edge by dipping: so doth
wine the hearts of the proud by drunkeness.
{31:27} Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk
moderately: what life is then to a man that is without wine?
for it was made to make men glad.
{31:28} Wine measurably drunk and in season bringeth
gladness of the heart, and cheerfulness of the mind:
{31:29} But wine drunken with excess maketh bitterness
of the mind, with brawling and quarrelling.
{31:30} Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool till he
offend: it diminisheth strength, and maketh wounds.
{31:31} Rebuke not thy neighbour at the wine, and
despise him not in his mirth: give him no despiteful words,
and press not upon him with urging him [to drink.]
{32:1} If thou be made the master [of a feast,] lift not
thyself up, but be among them as one of the rest; take
diligent care for them, and so sit down.
{32:2} And when thou hast done all thy office, take thy
place, that thou mayest be merry with them, and receive a
crown for thy well ordering of the feast.
{32:3} Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee,
but with sound judgment; and hinder not musick.
{32:4} Pour not out words where there is a musician, and
shew not forth wisdom out of time.
{32:5} A concert of musick in a banquet of wine is as a
signet of carbuncle set in gold.
{32:6} As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so
is the melody of musick with pleasant wine.
{32:7} Speak, young man, if there be need of thee: and
yet scarcely when thou art twice asked.
{32:8} Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in
few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his
tongue.
{32:9} If thou be among great men, make not thyself
equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not
many words.
{32:10} Before the thunder goeth lightning; and before a
shamefaced man shall go favour.
{32:11} Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get thee
home without delay.
{32:12} There take thy pastime, and do what thou wilt:
but sin not by proud speech.
{32:13} And for these things bless him that made thee,
and hath replenished thee with his good things.
{32:14} Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his
discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favour.
{32:15} He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith:
but the hypocrite will be offended thereat.
{32:16} They that fear the Lord shall find judgment, and
shall kindle justice as a light.
{32:17} A sinful man will not be reproved, but findeth an
excuse according to his will.
{32:18} A man of counsel will be considerate; but a
strange and proud man is not daunted with fear, even when
of himself he hath done without counsel.
{32:19} Do nothing without advice; and when thou hast
once done, repent not.
{32:20} Go not in a way wherein thou mayest fall, and
stumble not among the stones.
{32:21} Be not confident in a plain way.
{32:22} And beware of thine own children.
{32:23} In every good work trust thy own soul; for this is
the keeping of the commandments.
{32:24} He that believeth in the Lord taketh heed to the
commandment; and he that trusteth in him shall fare never
the worse.
{33:1} There shall no evil happen unto him that feareth
the Lord; but in temptation even again he will deliver him.
{33:2} A wise man hateth not the law; but he that is an
hypocrite therein is as a ship in a storm.
{33:3} A man of understanding trusteth in the law; and
the law is faithful unto him, as an oracle.
{33:4} Prepare what to say, and so thou shalt be heard:
and bind up instruction, and then make answer.
{33:5} The heart of the foolish is like a cartwheel; and his
thoughts are like a rolling axletree.
{33:6} A stallion horse is as a mocking friend, he
neigheth under every one that sitteth upon him.
{33:7} Why doth one day excel another, when as all the
light of every day in the year is of the sun?
{33:8} By the knowledge of the Lord they were
distinguished: and he altered seasons and feasts.
{33:9} Some of them hath he made high days, and
hallowed them, and some of them hath he made ordinary
days.
{33:10} And all men are from the ground, and Adam was
created of earth:
{33:11} In much knowledge the Lord hath divided them,
and made their ways diverse.
{33:12} Some of them hath he blessed and exalted and
some of them he sanctified, and set near himself: but some
of them hath he cursed and brought low, and turned out of
their places.
{33:13} As the clay is in the potter’s hand, to fashion it at
his pleasure: so man is in the hand of him that made him, to
render to them as liketh him best.
Page 621 Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
{33:14} Good is set against evil, and life against death: so
is the godly against the sinner, and the sinner against the
godly.
{33:15} So look upon all the works of the most High; and
there are two and two, one against another.
{33:16} I awaked up last of all, as one that gathereth after
the grapegatherers: by the blessing of the Lord I profited,
and tred my winepress like a gatherer of grapes.
{33:17} Consider that I laboured not for myself only, but
for all them that seek learning.
{33:18} Hear me, O ye great men of the people, and
hearken with your ears, ye rulers of the congregation.
{33:19} Give not thy son and wife, thy brother and friend,
power over thee while thou livest, and give not thy goods to
another: lest it repent thee, and thou intreat for the same
again.
{33:20} As long as thou livest and hast breath in thee,
give not thyself over to any.
{33:21} For better it is that thy children should seek to
thee, than that thou shouldest stand to their courtesy.
{33:22} In all thy works keep to thyself the preeminence;
leave not a stain in thine honour.
{33:23} At the time when thou shalt end thy days, and
finish thy life, distribute thine inheritance.
{33:24} Fodder, a wand, and burdens, are for the ass; and
bread, correction, and work, for a servant. .
{33:25} If thou set thy servant to labour, thou shalt find
rest: but if thou let him go idle, he shall seek liberty.
{33:26} A yoke and a collar do bow the neck: so are
tortures and torments for an evil servant.
{33:27} Send him to labour, that he be not idle; for
idleness teacheth much evil.
{33:28} Set him to work, as is fit for him: if he be not
obedient, put on more heavy fetters.
{33:29} But be not excessive toward any; and without
discretion do nothing.
{33:30} If thou have a servant, let him be unto thee as
thyself, because thou hast bought him with a price.
{33:31} If thou have a servant, entreat him as a brother:
for thou hast need of him, as of thine own soul: if thou
entreat him evil, and he run from thee, which way wilt thou
go to seek him?
{34:1} The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain
and false: and dreams lift up fools.
{34:2} Whoso regardeth dreams is like him that catcheth
at a shadow, and followeth after the wind.
{34:3} The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one
thing to another, even as the likeness of a face to a face.
{34:4} Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? and
from that thing which is false what truth can come?
{34:5} Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are
vain: and the heart fancieth, as a woman’s heart in travail.
{34:6} If they be not sent from the most High in thy
visitation, set not thy heart upon them.
{34:7} For dreams have deceived many, and they have
failed that put their trust in them.
{34:8} The law shall be found perfect without lies: and
wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.
{34:9} A man that hath travelled knoweth many things;
and he that hath much experience will declare wisdom.
{34:10} He that hath no experience knoweth little: but he
that hath travelled is full of prudence.
{34:11} When I travelled, I saw many things; and I
understand more than I can express.
{34:12} I was ofttimes in danger of death: yet I was
delivered because of these things.
{34:13} The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live;
for their hope is in him that saveth them.
{34:14} Whoso feareth the Lord shall not fear nor be
afraid; for he is his hope.
{34:15} Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord:
to whom doth he look? and who is his strength?
{34:16} For the eyes of the Lord are upon them that love
him, he is their mighty protection and strong stay, a defence
from heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, a preservation
from stumbling, and an help from falling.
{34:17} He raiseth up the soul, and lighteneth the eyes: he
giveth health, life, and blessing.
{34:18} He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten,
his offering is ridiculous; and the gifts of unjust men are not
accepted.
{34:19} The most High is not pleased with the offerings
of the wicked; neither is he pacified for sin by the multitude
of sacrifices.
{34:20} Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the
poor doeth as one that killeth the son before his father’s
eyes.
{34:21} The bread of the needy is their life: he that
defraudeth him thereof is a man of blood.
{34:22} He that taketh away his neighbour’s living
slayeth him; and he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire
is a bloodshedder.
{34:23} When one buildeth, and another pulleth down,
what profit have they then but labour?
{34:24} When one prayeth, and another curseth, whose
voice will the Lord hear?
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Page 622
{34:25} He that washeth himself after the touching of a
dead body, if he touch it again, what availeth his washing?
{34:26} So is it with a man that fasteth for his sins, and
goeth again, and doeth the same: who will hear his prayer?
or what doth his humbling profit him?
{35:1} He that keepeth the law bringeth offerings enough:
he that taketh heed to the commandment offereth a peace
offering.
{35:2} He that requiteth a goodturn offereth fine flour;
and he that giveth alms sacrificeth praise.
{35:3} To depart from wickedness is a thing pleasing to
the Lord; and to forsake unrighteousness is a propitiation.
{35:4} Thou shalt not appear empty before the Lord.
{35:5} For all these things [are to be done] because of the
commandment.
{35:6} The offering of the righteous maketh the altar fat,
and the sweet savour thereof is before the most High.
{35:7} The sacrifice of a just man is acceptable. and the
memorial thereof shall never be forgotten.
{35:8} Give the Lord his honour with a good eye, and
diminish not the firstfruits of thine hands.
{35:9} In all thy gifts shew a cheerful countenance, and
dedicate thy tithes with gladness.
{35:10} Give unto the most High according as he hath
enriched thee; and as thou hast gotten, give with a cheerful
eye.
{35:11} For the Lord recompenseth, and will give thee
seven times as much.
{35:12} Do not think to corrupt with gifts; for such he
will not receive: and trust not to unrighteous sacrifices; for
the Lord is judge, and with him is no respect of persons.
{35:13} He will not accept any person against a poor
man, but will hear the prayer of the oppressed.
{35:14} He will not despise the supplication of the
fatherless; nor the widow, when she poureth out her
complaint.
{35:15} Do not the tears run down the widow’s cheeks?
and is not her cry against him that causeth them to fall?
{35:16} He that serveth the Lord shall be accepted with
favour, and his prayer shall reach unto the clouds.
{35:17} The prayer of the humble pierceth the clouds: and
till it come nigh, he will not be comforted; and will not
depart, till the most High shall behold to judge righteously,
and execute judgment.
{35:18} For the Lord will not be slack, neither will the
Mighty be patient toward them, till he have smitten in
sunder the loins of the unmerciful, and repayed vengeance
to the heathen; till he have taken away the multitude of the
proud, and broken the sceptre of the unrighteous;
{35:19} Till he have rendered to every man according to
his deeds, and to the works of men according to their
devices; till he have judged the cause of his people, and
made them to rejoice in his mercy.
{35:20} Mercy is seasonable in the time of affliction, as
clouds of rain in the time of drought.
{36:1} Have mercy upon us, O Lord God of all, and
behold us:
{36:2} And send thy fear upon all the nations that seek
not after thee.
{36:3} Lift up thy hand against the strange nations, and
let them see thy power.
{36:4} As thou wast sanctified in us before them: so be
thou magnified among them before us.
{36:5} And let them know thee, as we have known thee,
that there is no God but only thou, O God.
{36:6} Shew new signs, and make other strange wonders:
glorify thy hand and thy right arm, that they may set forth
thy wondrous works.
{36:7} Raise up indignation, and pour out wrath: take
away the adversary, and destroy the enemy.
{36:8} Sake the time short, remember the covenant, and
let them declare thy wonderful works.
{36:9} Let him that escapeth be consumed by the rage of
the fire; and let them perish that oppress the people.
{36:10} Smite in sunder the heads of the rulers of the
heathen, that say, There is none other but we.
{36:11} Gather all the tribes of Jacob together, and inherit
thou them, as from the beginning.
{36:12} O Lord, have mercy upon the people that is
called by thy name, and upon Israel, whom thou hast named
thy firstborn.
{36:13} O be merciful unto Jerusalem, thy holy city, the
place of thy rest.
{36:14} Fill Sion with thine unspeakable oracles, and thy
people with thy glory:
{36:15} Give testimony unto those that thou hast
possessed from the beginning, and raise up prophets that
have been in thy name.
{36:16} Reward them that wait for thee, and let thy
prophets be found faithful.
{36:17} O Lord, hear the prayer of thy servants,
according to the blessing of Aaron over thy people, that all
they which dwell upon the earth may know that thou art the
Lord, the eternal God.
{36:18} The belly devoureth all meats, yet is one meat
better than another.
{36:19} As the palate tasteth divers kinds of venison: so
doth an heart of understanding false speeches.
Page 623 Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
{36:20} A froward heart causeth heaviness: but a man of
experience will recompense him.
{36:21} A woman will receive every man, yet is one
daughter better than another.
{36:22} The beauty of a woman cheereth the
countenance, and a man loveth nothing better.
{36:23} If there be kindness, meekness, and comfort, in
her tongue, then is not her husband like other men.
{36:24} He that getteth a wife beginneth a possession, a
help like unto himself, and a pillar of rest.
{36:25} Where no hedge is, there the possession is
spoiled: and he that hath no wife will wander up and down
mourning.
{36:26} Who will trust a thief well appointed, that
skippeth from city to city? so [who will believe] a man that
hath no house, and lodgeth wheresoever the night taketh
him?
{37:1} Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is
a friend, which is only a friend in name.
{37:2} Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion and
friend is turned to an enemy?
{37:3} O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to
cover the earth with deceit?
{37:4} There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the
prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be
against him.
{37:5} There is a companion, which helpeth his friend for
the belly, and taketh up the buckler against the enemy.
{37:6} Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not
unmindful of him in thy riches.
{37:7} Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is
some that counselleth for himself.
{37:8} Beware of a counsellor, and know before what
need he hath; for he will counsel for himself; lest he cast the
lot upon thee,
{37:9} And say unto thee, Thy way is good: and
afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall
thee.
{37:10} Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and
hide thy counsel from such as envy thee.
{37:11} Neither consult with a woman touching her of
whom she is jealous; neither with a coward in matters of
war; nor with a merchant concerning exchange; nor with a
buyer of selling; nor with an envious man of thankfulness;
nor with an unmerciful man touching kindness; nor with the
slothful for any work; nor with an hireling for a year of
finishing work; nor with an idle servant of much business:
hearken not unto these in any matter of counsel.
{37:12} But be continually with a godly man, whom thou
knowest to keep the commandments of the Lord, whose,
mind is according to thy mind, and will sorrow with thee, if
thou shalt miscarry.
{37:13} And let the counsel of thine own heart stand: for
there is no man more faithful unto thee than it.
{37:14} For a man’s mind is sometime wont to tell him
more than seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower.
{37:15} And above all this pray to the most High, that he
will direct thy way in truth.
{37:16} Let reason go before every enterprize, and
counsel before every action.
{37:17} The countenance is a sign of changing of the
heart.
{37:18} Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life
and death: but the tongue ruleth over them continually.
{37:19} There is one that is wise and teacheth many, and
yet is unprofitable to himself.
{37:20} There is one that sheweth wisdom in words, and
is hated: he shall be destitute of all food.
{37:21} For grace is not given, him from the Lord,
because he is deprived of all wisdom.
{37:22} Another is wise to himself; and the fruits of
understanding are commendable in his mouth.
{37:23} A wise man instructeth his people; and the fruits
of his understanding fail not.
{37:24} A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all
they that see him shall count him happy.
{37:25} The days of the life of man may be numbered:
but the days of Israel are innumerable.
{37:26} A wise man shall inherit glory among his people,
and his name shall be perpetual.
{37:27} My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is
evil for it, and give not that unto it.
{37:28} For all things are not profitable for all men,
neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing.
{37:29} Be not unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor too
greedy upon meats:
{37:30} For excess of meats bringeth sickness, and
surfeiting will turn into choler.
{37:31} By surfeiting have many perished; but he that
taketh heed prolongeth his life.
{38:1} Honour a physician with the honour due unto him
for the uses which ye may have of him: for the Lord hath
created him.
{38:2} For of the most High cometh healing, and he shall
receive honour of the king.
{38:3} The skill of the physician shall lift up his head:
and in the sight of great men he shall be in admiration.
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Page 624
{38:4} The Lord hath created medicines out of the earth;
and he that is wise will not abhor them.
{38:5} Was not the water made sweet with wood, that the
virtue thereof might be known?
{38:6} And he hath given men skill, that he might be
honoured in his marvellous works.
{38:7} With such doth he heal [men,] and taketh away
their pains.
{38:8} Of such doth the apothecary make a confection;
and of his works there is no end; and from him is peace over
all the earth,
{38:9} My son, in thy sickness be not negligent: but pray
unto the Lord, and he will make thee whole.
{38:10} Leave off from sin, and order thine hands aright,
and cleanse thy heart from all wickedness.
{38:11} Give a sweet savour, and a memorial of fine
flour; and make a fat offering, as not being.
{38:12} Then give place to the physician, for the Lord
hath created him: let him not go from thee, for thou hast
need of him.
{38:13} There is a time when in their hands there is good
success.
{38:14} For they shall also pray unto the Lord, that he
would prosper that, which they give for ease and remedy to
prolong life.
{38:15} He that sinneth before his Maker, let him fall into
the hand of the physician.
{38:16} My son, let tears fall down over the dead, and
begin to lament, as if thou hadst suffered great harm thyself;
and then cover his body according to the custom, and
neglect not his burial.
{38:17} Weep bitterly, and make great moan, and use
lamentation, as he is worthy, and that a day or two, lest thou
be evil spoken of: and then comfort thyself for thy
heaviness.
{38:18} For of heaviness cometh death, and the heaviness
of the heart breaketh strength.
{38:19} In affliction also sorrow remaineth: and the life
of the poor is the curse of the heart.
{38:20} Take no heaviness to heart: drive it away, and
member the last end.
{38:21} Forget it not, for there is no turning again: thou
shalt not do him good, but hurt thyself.
{38:22} Remember my judgment: for thine also shall be
so; yesterday for me, and to day for thee.
{38:23} When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance
rest; and be comforted for him, when his Spirit is departed
from him.
{38:24} The wisdom of a learned man cometh by
opportunity of leisure: and he that hath little business shall
become wise.
{38:25} How can he get wisdom that holdeth the plough,
and that glorieth in the goad, that driveth oxen, and is
occupied in their labours, and whose talk is of bullocks?
{38:26} He giveth his mind to make furrows; and is
diligent to give the kine fodder.
{38:27} So every carpenter and workmaster, that
laboureth night and day: and they that cut and grave seals,
and are diligent to make great variety, and give themselves
to counterfeit imagery, and watch to finish a work:
{38:28} The smith also sitting by the anvil, and
considering the iron work, the vapour of the fire wasteth his
flesh, and he fighteth with the heat of the furnace: the noise
of the hammer and the anvil is ever in his ears, and his eyes
look still upon the pattern of the thing that he maketh; he
setteth his mind to finish his work, and watcheth to polish it
perfectly:
{38:29} So doth the potter sitting at his work, and turning
the wheel about with his feet, who is alway carefully set at
his work, and maketh all his work by number;
{38:30} He fashioneth the clay with his arm, and boweth
down his strength before his feet; he applieth himself to lead
it over; and he is diligent to make clean the furnace:
{38:31} All these trust to their hands: and every one is
wise in his work.
{38:32} Without these cannot a city be inhabited: and
they shall not dwell where they will, nor go up and down:
{38:33} They shall not be sought for in publick counsel,
nor sit high in the congregation: they shall not sit on the
judges’ seat, nor understand the sentence of judgment: they
cannot declare justice and judgment; and they shall not be
found where parables are spoken.
{38:34} But they will maintain the state of the world, and
[all] their desire is in the work of their craft.
{39:1} But he that giveth his mind to the law of the most
High, and is occupied in the meditation thereof, will seek
out the wisdom of all the ancient, and be occupied in
prophecies.
{39:2} He will keep the sayings of the renowned men:
and where subtil parables are, he will be there also.
{39:3} He will seek out the secrets of grave sentences,
and be conversant in dark parables.
{39:4} He shall serve among great men, and appear
before princes: he will travel through strange countries; for
he hath tried the good and the evil among men.
{39:5} He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord
that made him, and will pray before the most High, and will
open his mouth in prayer, and make supplication for his sins.
{39:6} When the great Lord will, he shall be filled with
the spirit of understanding: he shall pour out wise sentences,
and give thanks unto the Lord in his prayer.
Page 625 Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
{39:7} He shall direct his counsel and knowledge, and in
his secrets shall he meditate.
{39:8} He shall shew forth that which he hath learned,
and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord.
{39:9} Many shall commend his understanding; and so
long as the world endureth, it shall not be blotted out; his
memorial shall not depart away, and his name shall live
from generation to generation.
{39:10} Nations shall shew forth his wisdom, and the
congregation shall declare his praise.
{39:11} If he die, he shall leave a greater name than a
thousand: and if he live, he shall increase it.
{39:12} Yet have I more to say, which I have thought
upon; for I am filled as the moon at the full.
{39:13} Hearken unto me, ye holy children, and bud forth
as a rose growing by the brook of the field:
{39:14} And give ye a sweet savour as frankincense, and
flourish as a lily, send forth a smell, and sing a song of
praise, bless the Lord in all his works.
{39:15} Magnify his name, and shew forth his praise with
the songs of your lips, and with harps, and in praising him
ye shall say after this manner:
{39:16} All the works of the Lord are exceeding good,
and whatsoever he commandeth shall be accomplished in
due season.
{39:17} And none may say, What is this? wherefore is
that? for at time convenient they shall all be sought out: at
his commandment the waters stood as an heap, and at the
words of his mouth the receptacles of waters.
{39:18} At his commandment is done whatsoever
pleaseth him; and none can hinder, when he will save.
{39:19} The works of all flesh are before him, and
nothing can be hid from his eyes.
{39:20} He seeth from everlasting to everlasting; and
there is nothing wonderful before him.
{39:21} A man need not to say, What is this? wherefore is
that? for he hath made all things for their uses.
{39:22} His blessing covered the dry land as a river, and
watered it as a flood.
{39:23} As he hath turned the waters into saltness: so
shall the heathen inherit his wrath.
{39:24} As his ways are plain unto the holy; so are they
stumblingblocks unto the wicked.
{39:25} For the good are good things created from the
beginning: so evil things for sinners.
{39:26} The principal things for the whole use of man’s
life are water, fire, iron, and salt, flour of wheat, honey,
milk, and the blood of the grape, and oil, and clothing.
{39:27} All these things are for good to the godly: so to
the sinners they are turned into evil.
{39:28} There be spirits that are created for vengeance,
which in their fury lay on sore strokes; in the time of
destruction they pour out their force, and appease the wrath
of him that made them.
{39:29} Fire, and hail, and famine, and death, all these
were created for vengeance;
{39:30} Teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions, serpents, and
the sword punishing the wicked to destruction.
{39:31} They shall rejoice in his commandment, and they
shall be ready upon earth, when need is; and when their
time is come, they shall not transgress his word.
{39:32} Therefore from the beginning I was resolved, and
thought upon these things, and have left them in writing.
{39:33} All the works of the Lord are good: and he will
give every needful thing in due season.
{39:34} So that a man cannot say, This is worse than that:
for in time they shall all be well approved.
{39:35} And therefore praise ye the Lord with the whole
heart and mouth, and bless the name of the Lord.
{40:1} Great travail is created for every man, and an
heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day that
they go out of their mother’s womb, till the day that they
return to the mother of all things.
{40:2} Their imagination of things to come, and the day
of death, [trouble] their thoughts, and [cause] fear of heart;
{40:3} From him that sitteth on a throne of glory, unto
him that is humbled in earth and ashes;
{40:4} From him that weareth purple and a crown, unto
him that is clothed with a linen frock.
{40:5} Wrath, and envy, trouble, and unquietness, fear of
death, and anger, and strife, and in the time of rest upon his
bed his night sleep, do change his knowledge.
{40:6} A little or nothing is his rest, and afterward he is in
his sleep, as in a day of keeping watch, troubled in the
vision of his heart, as if he were escaped out of a battle.
{40:7} When all is safe, he awaketh, and marvelleth that
the fear was nothing.
{40:8} [Such things happen] unto all flesh, both man and
beast, and that is sevenfold more upon sinners.
{40:9} Death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword,
calamities, famine, tribulation, and the scourge;
{40:10} These things are created for the wicked, and for
their sakes came the flood.
{40:11} All things that are of the earth shall turn to the
earth again: and that which is of the waters doth return into
the sea.
{40:12} All bribery and injustice shall be blotted out: but
true dealing shall endure for ever.
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Page 626
{40:13} The goods of the unjust shall be dried up like a
river, and shall vanish with noise, like a great thunder in
rain.
{40:14} While he openeth his hand he shall rejoice: so
shall transgressors come to nought.
{40:15} The children of the ungodly shall not bring forth
many branches: but are as unclean roots upon a hard rock.
{40:16} The weed growing upon every water and bank of
a river shall be pulled up before all grass.
{40:17} Bountifulness is as a most fruitful garden, and
mercifulness endureth for ever.
{40:18} To labour, and to be content with that a man hath,
is a sweet life: but he that findeth a treasure is above them
both.
{40:19} Children and the building of a city continue a
man’s name: but a blameless wife is counted above them
both.
{40:20} Wine and musick rejoice the heart: but the love
of wisdom is above them both.
{40:21} The pipe and the psaltery make sweet melody:
but a pleasant tongue is above them both.
{40:22} Thine eye desireth favour and beauty: but more
than both corn while it is green.
{40:23} A friend and companion never meet amiss: but
above both is a wife with her husband.
{40:24} Brethren and help are against time of trouble: but
alms shall deliver more than them both.
{40:25} Gold and silver make the foot stand sure: but
counsel is esteemed above them both.
{40:26} Riches and strength lift up the heart: but the fear
of the Lord is above them both: there is no want in the fear
of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek help.
{40:27} The fear of the Lord is a fruitful garden, and
covereth him above all glory.
{40:28} My son, lead not a beggar’s life; for better it is to
die than to beg.
{40:29} The life of him that dependeth on another man’s
table is not to be counted for a life; for he polluteth himself
with other men’s meat: but a wise man well nurtured will
beware thereof.
{40:30} Begging is sweet in the mouth of the shameless:
but in his belly there shall burn a fire.
{41:1} O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to
a man that liveth at rest in his possessions, unto the man that
hath nothing to vex him, and that hath prosperity in all
things: yea, unto him that is yet able to receive meat!
{41:2} O death, acceptable is thy sentence unto the needy,
and unto him whose strength faileth, that is now in the last
age, and is vexed with all things, and to him that despaireth,
and hath lost patience!
{41:3} Fear not the sentence of death, remember them
that have been before thee, and that come after; for this is
the sentence of the Lord over all flesh.
{41:4} And why art thou against the pleasure of the most
High? there is no inquisition in the grave, whether thou
have lived ten, or an hundred, or a thousand years.
{41:5} The children of sinners are abominable children,
and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly.
{41:6} The inheritance of sinners’ children shall perish,
and their posterity shall have a perpetual reproach.
{41:7} The children will complain of an ungodly father,
because they shall be reproached for his sake.
{41:8} Woe be unto you, ungodly men, which have
forsaken the law of the most high God! for if ye increase, it
shall be to your destruction:
{41:9} And if ye be born, ye shall be born to a curse: and
if ye die, a curse shall be your portion.
{41:10} All that are of the earth shall turn to earth again:
so the ungodly shall go from a curse to destruction.
{41:11} The mourning of men is about their bodies: but
an ill name of sinners shall be blotted out.
{41:12} Have regard to thy name; for that shall continue
with thee above a thousand great treasures of gold.
{41:13} A good life hath but few days: but a good name
endureth for ever.
{41:14} My children, keep discipline in peace: for
wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, what
profit is in them both?
{41:15} A man that hideth his foolishness is better than a
man that hideth his wisdom.
{41:16} Therefore be shamefaced according to my word:
for it is not good to retain all shamefacedness; neither is it
altogether approved in every thing.
{41:17} Be ashamed of whoredom before father and
mother: and of a lie before a prince and a mighty man;
{41:18} Of an offence before a judge and ruler; of
iniquity before a congregation and people; of unjust dealing
before thy partner and friend;
{41:19} And of theft in regard of the place where thou
sojournest, and in regard of the truth of God and his
covenant; and to lean with thine elbow upon the meat; and
of scorning to give and take;
{41:20} And of silence before them that salute thee; and
to look upon an harlot;
{41:21} And to turn away thy face from thy kinsman; or
to take away a portion or a gift; or to gaze upon another
man’s wife.
{41:22} Or to be overbusy with his maid, and come not
near her bed; or of upbraiding speeches before friends; and
after thou hast given, upbraid not;
Page 627 Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
{41:23} Or of iterating and speaking again that which
thou hast heard; and of revealing of secrets.
{41:24} So shalt thou be truly shamefaced and find favour
before all men.
{42:1} Of these things be not thou ashamed, and accept
no person to sin thereby:
{42:2} Of the law of the most High, and his covenant; and
of judgment to justify the ungodly;
{42:3} Of reckoning with thy partners and travellers; or of
the gift of the heritage of friends;
{42:4} Of exactness of balance and weights; or of getting
much or little;
{42:5} And of merchants’ indifferent selling; of much
correction of children; and to make the side of an evil
servant to bleed.
{42:6} Sure keeping is good, where an evil wife is; and
shut up, where many hands are.
{42:7} Deliver all things in number and weight; and put
all in writing that thou givest out, or receivest in.
{42:8} Be not ashamed to inform the unwise and foolish,
and the extreme aged that contendeth with those that are
young: thus shalt thou be truly learned, and approved of all
men living.
{42:9} The father waketh for the daughter, when no man
knoweth; and the care for her taketh away sleep: when she
is young, lest she pass away the flower of her age; and
being married, lest she should be hated:
{42:10} In her virginity, lest she should be defiled and
gotten with child in her father’s house; and having an
husband, lest she should misbehave herself; and when she is
married, lest she should be barren.
{42:11} Keep a sure watch over a shameless daughter,
lest she make thee a laughingstock to thine enemies, and a
byword in the city, and a reproach among the people, and
make thee ashamed before the multitude.
{42:12} Behold not every body’s beauty, and sit not in the
midst of women.
{42:13} For from garments cometh a moth, and from
women wickedness.
{42:14} Better is the churlishness of a man than a
courteous woman, a woman, I say, which bringeth shame
and reproach.
{42:15} I will now remember the works of the Lord, and
declare the things that I have seen: In the words of the Lord
are his works.
{42:16} The sun that giveth light looketh upon all things,
and the work thereof is full of the glory of the Lord.
{42:17} The Lord hath not given power to the saints to
declare all his marvellous works, which the Almighty Lord
firmly settled, that whatsoever is might be established for
his glory.
{42:18} He seeketh out the deep, and the heart, and
considereth their crafty devices: for the Lord knoweth all
that may be known, and he beholdeth the signs of the world.
{42:19} He declareth the things that are past, and for to
come, and revealeth the steps of hidden things.
{42:20} No thought escapeth him, neither any word is
hidden from him.
{42:21} He hath garnished the excellent works of his
wisdom, and he is from everlasting to everlasting: unto him
may nothing be added, neither can he be diminished, and he
hath no need of any counsellor.
{42:22} Oh how desirable are all his works! and that a
man may see even to a spark.
{42:23} All these things live and remain for ever for all
uses, and they are all obedient.
{42:24} All things are double one against another: and he
hath made nothing imperfect.
{42:25} One thing establisheth the good or another: and
who shall be filled with beholding his glory?
{43:1} The pride of the height, the clear firmament, the
beauty of heaven, with his glorious shew;
{43:2} The sun when it appeareth, declaring at his rising a
marvellous instrument, the work of the most High:
{43:3} At noon it parcheth the country, and who can
abide the burning heat thereof?
{43:4} A man blowing a furnace is in works of heat, but
the sun burneth the mountains three times more; breathing
out fiery vapours, and sending forth bright beams, it
dimmeth the eyes.
{43:5} Great is the Lord that made it; and at his
commandment runneth hastily.
{43:6} He made the moon also to serve in her season for a
declaration of times, and a sign of the world.
{43:7} From the moon is the sign of feasts, a light that
decreaseth in her perfection.
{43:8} The month is called after her name, increasing
wonderfully in her changing, being an instrument of the
armies above, shining in the firmament of heaven;
{43:9} The beauty of heaven, the glory of the stars, an
ornament giving light in the highest places of the Lord.
{43:10} At the commandment of the Holy One they will
stand in their order, and never faint in their watches.
{43:11} Look upon the rainbow, and praise him that made
it; very beautiful it is in the brightness thereof.
{43:12} It compasseth the heaven about with a glorious
circle, and the hands of the most High have bended it.
{43:13} By his commandment he maketh the snow to fall
aplace, and sendeth swiftly the lightnings of his judgment.
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Page 628
{43:14} Through this the treasures are opened: and clouds
fly forth as fowls.
{43:15} By his great power he maketh the clouds firm,
and the hailstones are broken small.
{43:16} At his sight the mountains are shaken, and at his
will the south wind bloweth.
{43:17} The noise of the thunder maketh the earth to
tremble: so doth the northern storm and the whirlwind: as
birds flying he scattereth the snow, and the falling down
thereof is as the lighting of grasshoppers:
{43:18} The eye marvelleth at the beauty of the whiteness
thereof, and the heart is astonished at the raining of it.
{43:19} The hoarfrost also as salt he poureth on the earth,
and being congealed, it lieth on the top of sharp stakes.
{43:20} When the cold north wind bloweth, and the water
is congealed into ice, it abideth upon every gathering
together of water, and clotheth the water as with a
breastplate.
{43:21} It devoureth the mountains, and burneth the
wilderness, and consumeth the grass as fire.
{43:22} A present remedy of all is a mist coming
speedily, a dew coming after heat refresheth.
{43:23} By his counsel he appeaseth the deep, and
planteth islands therein.
{43:24} They that sail on the sea tell of the danger
thereof; and when we hear it with our ears, we marvel
thereat.
{43:25} For therein be strange and wondrous works,
variety of all kinds of beasts and whales created.
{43:26} By him the end of them hath prosperous success,
and by his word all things consist.
{43:27} We may speak much, and yet come short:
wherefore in sum, he is all.
{43:28} How shall we be able to magnify him? for he is
great above all his works.
{43:29} The Lord is terrible and very great, and
marvellous is his power.
{43:30} When ye glorify the Lord, exalt him as much as
ye can; for even yet will he far exceed: and when ye exalt
him, put forth all your strength, and be not weary; for ye can
never go far enough.
{43:31} Who hath seen him, that he might tell us? and
who can magnify him as he is?
{43:32} There are yet hid greater things than these be, for
we have seen but a few of his works.
{43:33} For the Lord hath made all things; and to the
godly hath he given wisdom.
{44:1} Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers
that begat us.
{44:2} The Lord hath wrought great glory by them
through his great power from the beginning.
{44:3} Such as did bear rule in their kingdoms, men
renowned for their power, giving counsel by their
understanding, and declaring prophecies:
{44:4} Leaders of the people by their counsels, and by
their knowledge of learning meet for the people, wise and
eloquent are their instructions:
{44:5} Such as found out musical tunes, and recited
verses in writing:
{44:6} Rich men furnished with ability, living peaceably
in their habitations:
{44:7} All these were honoured in their generations, and
were the glory of their times.
{44:8} There be of them, that have left a name behind
them, that their praises might be reported.
{44:9} And some there be, which have no memorial; who
are perished, as though they had never been; and are
become as though they had never been born; and their
children after them.
{44:10} But these were merciful men, whose
righteousness hath not been forgotten.
{44:11} With their seed shall continually remain a good
inheritance, and their children are within the covenant.
{44:12} Their seed standeth fast, and their children for
their sakes.
{44:13} Their seed shall remain for ever, and their glory
shall not be blotted out.
{44:14} Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name
liveth for evermore.
{44:15} The people will tell of their wisdom, and the
congregation will shew forth their praise.
{44:16} Enoch pleased the Lord, and was translated,
being an example of repentance to all generations.
{44:17} Noah was found perfect and righteous; in the
time of wrath he was taken in exchange [for the world;]
therefore was he left as a remnant unto the earth, when the
flood came.
{44:18} An everlasting covenant was made with him, that
all flesh should perish no more by the flood.
{44:19} Abraham was a great father of many people: in
glory was there none like unto him;
{44:20} Who kept the law of the most High, and was in
covenant with him: he established the covenant in his flesh;
and when he was proved, he was found faithful.
{44:21} Therefore he assured him by an oath, that he
would bless the nations in his seed, and that he would
multiply him as the dust of the earth, and exalt his seed as
the stars, and cause them to inherit from sea to sea, and
from the river unto the utmost part of the land.
Page 629 Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
{44:22} With Isaac did he establish likewise [for
Abraham his father’s sake] the blessing of all men, and the
covenant, And made it rest upon the head of Jacob. He
acknowledged him in his blessing, and gave him an
heritage, and divided his portions; among the twelve tribes
did he part them.
{45:1} And he brought out of him a merciful man, which
found favour in the sight of all flesh, even Moses, beloved
of God and men, whose memorial is blessed.
{45:2} He made him like to the glorious saints, and
magnified him, so that his enemies stood in fear of him.
{45:3} By his words he caused the wonders to cease, and
he made him glorious in the sight of kings, and gave him a
commandment for his people, and shewed him part of his
glory.
{45:4} He sanctified him in his faithfuless and meekness,
and chose him out of all men.
{45:5} He made him to hear his voice, and brought him
into the dark cloud, and gave him commandments before his
face, even the law of life and knowledge, that he might
teach Jacob his covenants, and Israel his judgments.
{45:6} He exalted Aaron, an holy man like unto him, even
his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
{45:7} An everlasting covenant he made with him and
gave him the priesthood among the people; he beautified
him with comely ornaments, and clothed him with a robe of
glory.
{45:8} He put upon him perfect glory; and strengthened
him with rich garments, with breeches, with a long robe,
and the ephod.
{45:9} And he compassed him with pomegranates, and
with many golden bells round about, that as he went there
might be a sound, and a noise made that might be heard in
the temple, for a memorial to the children of his people;
{45:10} With an holy garment, with gold, and blue silk,
and purple, the work of the embroidere, with a breastplate
of judgment, and with Urim and Thummim;
{45:11} With twisted scarlet, the work of the cunning
workman, with precious stones graven like seals, and set in
gold, the work of the jeweller, with a writing engraved for a
memorial, after the number of the tribes of Israel.
{45:12} He set a crown of gold upon the mitre, wherein
was engraved Holiness, an ornament of honour, a costly
work, the desires of the eyes, goodly and beautiful.
{45:13} Before him there were none such, neither did
ever any stranger put them on, but only his children and his
children’s children perpetually.
{45:14} Their sacrifices shall be wholly consumed every
day twice continually.
{45:15} Moses consecrated him, and anointed him with
holy oil: this was appointed unto him by an everlasting
covenant, and to his seed, so long as the heavens should
remain, that they should minister unto him, and execute the
office of the priesthood, and bless the people in his name.
{45:16} He chose him out of all men living to offer
sacrifices to the Lord, incense, and a sweet savour, for a
memorial, to make reconciliation for his people.
{45:17} He gave unto him his commandments, and
authority in the statutes of judgments, that he should teach
Jacob the testimonies, and inform Israel in his laws.
{45:18} Strangers conspired together against him, and
maligned him in the wilderness, even the men that were of
Dathan’s and Abiron’s side, and the congregation of Core,
with fury and wrath.
{45:19} This the Lord saw, and it displeased him, and in
his wrathful indignation were they consumed: he did
wonders upon them, to consume them with the fiery flame.
{45:20} But he made Aaron more honourable, and gave
him an heritage, and divided unto him the firstfruits of the
increase; especially he prepared bread in abundance:
{45:21} For they eat of the sacrifices of the Lord, which
he gave unto him and his seed.
{45:22} Howbeit in the land of the people he had no
inheritance, neither had he any portion among the people:
for the Lord himself is his portion and inheritance.
{45:23} The third in glory is Phinees the son of Eleazar,
because he had zeal in the fear of the Lord, and stood up
with good courage of heart: when the people were turned
back, and made reconciliation for Israel.
{45:24} Therefore was there a covenant of peace made
with him, that he should be the chief of the sanctuary and of
his people, and that he and his posterity should have the
dignity of the priesthood for ever:
{45:25} According to the covenant made with David son
of Jesse, of the tribe of Juda, that the inheritance of the king
should be to his posterity alone: so the inheritance of Aaron
should also be unto his seed.
{45:26} God give you wisdom in your heart to judge his
people in righteousness, that their good things be not
abolished, and that their glory may endure for ever.
{46:1} Jesus the son a Nave was valiant in the wars, and
was the successor of Moses in prophecies, who according to
his name was made great for the saving of the elect of God,
and taking vengeance of the enemies that rose up against
them, that he might set Israel in their inheritance.
{46:2} How great glory gat he, when he did lift up his
hands, and stretched out his sword against the cities!
{46:3} Who before him so stood to it? for the Lord
himself brought his enemies unto him.
{46:4} Did not the sun go back by his means? and was not
one day as long as two?
{46:5} He called upon the most high Lord, when the
enemies pressed upon him on every side; and the great Lord
heard him.
{46:6} And with hailstones of mighty power he made the
battle to fall violently upon the nations, and in the descent
[of Beth-horon] he destroyed them that resisted, that the
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Page 630
nations might know all their strength, because he fought in
the sight of the Lord, and he followed the Mighty One.
{46:7} In the time of Moses also he did a work of mercy,
he and Caleb the son of Jephunne, in that they withstood the
congregation, and withheld the people from sin, and
appeased the wicked murmuring.
{46:8} And of six hundred thousand people on foot, they
two were preserved to bring them in to the heritage, even
unto the land that floweth with milk and honey.
{46:9} The Lord gave strength also unto Caleb, which
remained with him unto his old age: so that he entered upon
the high places of the land, and his seed obtained it for an
heritage:
{46:10} That all the children of Israel might see that it is
good to follow the Lord.
{46:11} And concerning the judges, every one by name,
whose heart went not a whoring, nor departed from the
Lord, let their memory be blessed.
{46:12} Let their bones flourish out of their place, and let
the name of them that were honoured be continued upon
their children.
{46:13} Samuel, the prophet of the Lord, beloved of his
Lord, established a kingdom, and anointed princes over his
people.
{46:14} By the law of the Lord he judged the
congregation, and the Lord had respect unto Jacob.
{46:15} By his faithfulness he was found a true prophet,
and by his word he was known to be faithful in vision.
{46:16} He called upon the mighty Lord, when his
enemies pressed upon him on every side, when he offered
the sucking lamb.
{46:17} And the Lord thundered from heaven, and with a
great noise made his voice to be heard.
{46:18} And he destroyed the rulers of the Tyrians, and
all the princes cf the Philistines.
{46:19} And before his long sleep he made protestations
in the sight of the Lord and his anointed, I have not taken
any man’s goods, so much as a shoe: and no man did accuse
him.
{46:20} And after his death he prophesied, and shewed
the king his end, and lifted up his voice from the earth in
prophecy, to blot out the wickedness of the people.
{47:1} And after him rose up Nathan to prophesy in the
time of David.
{47:2} As is the fat taken away from the peace offering,
so was David chosen out of the children of Israel.
{47:3} He played with lions as with kids, and with bears
as with lambs.
{47:4} Slew he not a giant, when he was yet but young?
and did he not take away reproach from the people, when he
lifted up his hand with the stone in the sling, and beat down
the boasting of Goliath?
{47:5} For he called upon the most high Lord; and he
gave him strength in his right hand to slay that mighty
warrior, and set up the horn of his people.
{47:6} So the people honoured him with ten thousands,
and praised him in the blessings of the Lord, in that he gave
him a crown of glory.
{47:7} For he destroyed the enemies on every side, and
brought to nought the Philistines his adversaries, and brake
their horn in sunder unto this day.
{47:8} In all his works he praised the Holy One most high
with words of glory; with his whole heart he sung songs,
and loved him that made him.
{47:9} He set singers also before the altar, that by their
voices they might make sweet melody, and daily sing
praises in their songs.
{47:10} He beautified their feasts, and set in order the
solemn times until the end, that they might praise his holy
name, and that the temple might sound from morning.
{47:11} The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn
for ever: he gave him a covenant of kings, and a throne of
glory in Israel.
{47:12} After him rose up a wise son, and for his sake he
dwelt at large.
{47:13} Solomon reigned in a peaceable time, and was
honoured; for God made all quiet round about him, that he
might build an house in his name, and prepare his sanctuary
for ever.
{47:14} How wise wast thou in thy youth and, as a flood,
filled with understanding!
{47:15} Thy soul covered the whole earth, and thou
filledst it with dark parables.
{47:16} Thy name went far unto the islands; and for thy
peace thou wast beloved.
{47:17} The countries marvelled at thee for thy songs,
and proverbs, and parables, and interpretations.
{47:18} By the name of the Lord God, which is called the
Lord God of Israel, thou didst gather gold as tin and didst
multiply silver as lead.
{47:19} Thou didst bow thy loins unto women, and by thy
body thou wast brought into subjection.
{47:20} Thou didst stain thy honour, and pollute thy seed:
so that thou broughtest wrath upon thy children, and wast
grieved for thy folly.
{47:21} So the kingdom was divided, and out of Ephraim
ruled a rebellious kingdom.
{47:22} But the Lord will never leave off his mercy,
neither shall any of his works perish, neither will he abolish
the posterity of his elect, and the seed of him that loveth
him he will not take away: wherefore he gave a remnant
unto Jacob, and out of him a root unto David.
Page 631 Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
{47:23} Thus rested Solomon with his fathers, and of his
seed he left behind him Roboam, even the foolishness of the
people, and one that had no understanding, who turned
away the people through his counsel. There was also
Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin, and
shewed Ephraim the way of sin:
{47:24} And their sins were multiplied exceedingly, that
they were driven out of the land.
{47:25} For they sought out all wickedness, till the
vengeance came upon them.
{48:1} Then stood up Elias the prophet as fire, and his
word burned like a lamp.
{48:2} He brought a sore famine upon them, and by his
zeal he diminished their number.
{48:3} By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven,
and also three times brought down fire.
{48:4} O Elias, how wast thou honoured in thy wondrous
deeds! and who may glory like unto thee!
{48:5} Who didst raise up a dead man from death, and his
soul from the place of the dead, by the word of the most
High:
{48:6} Who broughtest kings to destruction, and
honorable men from their bed:
{48:7} Who heardest the rebuke of the Lord in Sinai, and
in Horeb the judgment of vengeance:
{48:8} Who annointedst kings to take revenge, and
prophets to succeed after him:
{48:9} Who was taken up in a whirlwind of fire, and in a
chariot of fiery horses:
{48:10} Who wast ordained for reproofs in their times, to
pacify the wrath of the Lord’s judgment, before it brake
forth into fury, and to turn the heart of the father unto the
son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
{48:11} Blessed are they that saw thee, and slept in love;
for we shall surely live.
{48:12} Elias it was, who was covered with a whirlwind:
and Eliseus was filled with his spirit: whilst he lived, he was
not moved with the presence of any prince, neither could
any bring him into subjection.
{48:13} No word could overcome him; and after his death
his body prophesied.
{48:14} He did wonders in his life, and at his death were
his works marvellous.
{48:15} For all this the people repented not, neither
departed they from their sins, till they were spoiled and
carried out of their land, and were scattered through all the
earth: yet there remained a small people, and a ruler in the
house of David:
{48:16} Of whom some did that which was pleasing to
God, and some multiplied sins.
{48:17} Ezekias fortified his city, and brought in water
into the midst thereof: he digged the hard rock with iron,
and made wells for waters.
{48:18} In his time Sennacherib came up, and sent
Rabsaces, and lifted up his hand against Sion, and boasted
proudly.
{48:19} Then trembled their hearts and hands, and they
were in pain, as women in travail.
{48:20} But they called upon the Lord which is merciful,
and stretched out their hands toward him: and immediately
the Holy One heard them out of heaven, and delivered them
by the ministry of Esay.
{48:21} He smote the host of the Assyrians, and his angel
destroyed them.
{48:22} For Ezekias had done the thing that pleased the
Lord, and was strong in the ways of David his father, as
Esay the prophet, who was great and faithful in his vision,
had commanded him.
{48:23} In his time the sun went backward, and he
lengthened the king’s life.
{48:24} He saw by an excellent spirit what should come
to pass at the last, and he comforted them that mourned in
Sion.
{48:25} He shewed what should come to pass for ever,
and secret things or ever they came.
{49:1} The remembrance of Josias is like the composition
of the perfume that is made by the art of the apothecary: it is
sweet as honey in all mouths, and as musick at a banquet of
wine.
{49:2} He behaved himself uprightly in the conversion of
the people, and took away the abominations of iniquity.
{49:3} He directed his heart unto the Lord, and in the time
of the ungodly he established the worship of God.
{49:4} All, except David and Ezekias and Josias, were
defective: for they forsook the law of the most High, even
the kings of Juda failed.
{49:5} Therefore he gave their power unto others, and
their glory to a strange nation.
{49:6} They burnt the chosen city of the sanctuary, and
made the streets desolate, according to the prophecy of
Jeremias.
{49:7} For they entreated him evil, who nevertheless was
a prophet, sanctified in his mother’s womb, that he might
root out, and afflict, and destroy; and that he might build up
also, and plant.
{49:8} It was Ezekiel who saw the glorious vision, which
was shewed him upon the chariot of the cherubims.
{49:9} For he made mention of the enemies under the
figure of the rain, and directed them that went right.
{49:10} And of the twelve prophets let the memorial be
blessed, and let their bones flourish again out of their place:
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) Page 632
for they comforted Jacob, and delivered them by assured
hope.
{49:11} How shall we magnify Zorobabel? even he was
as a signet on the right hand:
{49:12} So was Jesus the son of Josedec: who in their
time builded the house, and set up an holy temple to the
Lord, which was prepared for everlasting glory.
{49:13} And among the elect was Neemias, whose
renown is great, who raised up for us the walls that were
fallen, and set up the gates and the bars, and raised up our
ruins again.
{49:14} But upon the earth was no man created like
Enoch; for he was taken from the earth.
{49:15} Neither was there a young man born like Joseph,
a governor of his brethren, a stay of the people, whose
bones were regarded of the Lord.
{49:16} Sem and Seth were in great honour among men,
and so was Adam above every living thing in creation.
{50:1} Simon the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his
life repaired the house again, and in his days fortified the
temple:
{50:2} And by him was built from the foundation the
double height, the high fortress of the wall about the temple:
{50:3} In his days the cistern to receive water, being in
compass as the sea, was covered with plates of brass:
{50:4} He took care of the temple that it should not fall,
and fortified the city against besieging:
{50:5} How was he honoured in the midst of the people in
his coming out of the sanctuary!
{50:6} He was as the morning star in the midst of a cloud,
and as the moon at the full:
{50:7} As the sun shining upon the temple of the most
High, and as the rainbow giving light in the bright clouds:
{50:8} And as the flower of roses in the spring of the
year, as lilies by the rivers of waters, and as the branches of
the frankincense tree in the time of summer:
{50:9} As fire and incense in the censer, and as a vessel
of beaten gold set with all manner of precious stones:
{50:10} And as a fair olive tree budding forth fruit, and as
a cypress tree which groweth up to the clouds.
{50:11} When he put on the robe of honour, and was
clothed with the perfection of glory, when he went up to the
holy altar, he made the garment of holiness honourable.
{50:12} When he took the portions out of the priests’
hands, he himself stood by the hearth of the altar,
compassed about, as a young cedar in Libanus; and as palm
trees compassed they him round about.
{50:13} So were all the sons of Aaron in their glory, and
the oblations of the Lord in their hands, before all the
congregation of Israel.
{50:14} And finishing the service at the altar, that he
might adorn the offering of the most high Almighty,
{50:15} He stretched out his hand to the cup, and poured
of the blood of the grape, he poured out at the foot of the
altar a sweetsmelling savour unto the most high King of all.
{50:16} Then shouted the sons of Aaron, and sounded the
silver trumpets, and made a great noise to be heard, for a
remembrance before the most High.
{50:17} Then all the people together hasted, and fell
down to the earth upon their faces to worship their Lord
God Almighty, the most High.
{50:18} The singers also sang praises with their voices,
with great variety of sounds was there made sweet melody.
{50:19} And the people besought the Lord, the most
High, by prayer before him that is merciful, till the
solemnity of the Lord was ended, and they had finished his
service.
{50:20} Then he went down, and lifted up his hands over
the whole congregation of the children of Israel, to give the
blessing of the Lord with his lips, and to rejoice in his name.
{50:21} And they bowed themselves down to worship the
second time, that they might receive a blessing from the
most High.
{50:22} Now therefore bless ye the God of all, which
only doeth wondrous things every where, which exalteth
our days from the womb, and dealeth with us according to
his mercy.
{50:23} He grant us joyfulness of heart, and that peace
may be in our days in Israel for ever:
{50:24} That he would confirm his mercy with us, and
deliver us at his time!
{50:25} There be two manner of nations which my heart
abhorreth, and the third is no nation:
{50:26} They that sit upon the mountain of Samaria, and
they that dwell among the Philistines, and that foolish
people that dwell in Sichem.
{50:27} Jesus the son of Sirach of Jerusalem hath written
in this book the instruction of understanding and
knowledge, who out of his heart poured forth wisdom.
{50:28} Blessed is he that shall be exercised in these
things; and he that layeth them up in his heart shall become
wise.
{50:29} For if he do them, he shall be strong to all things:
for the light of the Lord leadeth him, who giveth wisdom to
the godly. Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever. Amen,
Amen.
A Prayer of Jesus the son of Sirach.
{51:1} I will thank thee, O Lord and King, and praise
thee, O God my Saviour: I do give praise unto thy name:
{51:2} For thou art my defender and helper, and has
preserved my body from destruction, and from the snare of
Page 633 Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
the slanderous tongue, and from the lips that forge lies, and
has been mine helper against mine adversaries:
{51:3} And hast delivered me, according to the multitude
of they mercies and greatness of thy name, from the teeth of
them that were ready to devour me, and out of the hands of
such as sought after my life, and from the manifold
afflictions which I had;
{51:4} From the choking of fire on every side, and from
the midst of the fire which I kindled not;
{51:5} From the depth of the belly of hell, from an
unclean tongue, and from lying words.
{51:6} By an accusation to the king from an unrighteous
tongue my soul drew near even unto death, my life was near
to the hell beneath.
{51:7} They compassed me on every side, and there was
no man to help me: I looked for the succour of men, but
there was none.
{51:8} Then thought I upon thy mercy, O Lord, and upon
thy acts of old, how thou deliverest such as wait for thee,
and savest them out of the hands of the enemies.
{51:9} Then lifted I up my supplications from the earth,
and prayed for deliverance from death.
{51:10} I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord,
that he would not leave me in the days of my trouble, and in
the time of the proud, when there was no help.
{51:11} I will praise thy name continually, and will sing
praises with thanksgiving; and so my prayer was heard:
{51:12} For thou savedst me from destruction, and
deliveredst me from the evil time: therefore will I give
thanks, and praise thee, and bless they name, O Lord.
{51:13} When I was yet young, or ever I went abroad, I
desired wisdom openly in my prayer.
{51:14} I prayed for her before the temple, and will seek
her out even to the end.
{51:15} Even from the flower till the grape was ripe hath
my heart delighted in her: my foot went the right way, from
my youth up sought I after her.
{51:16} I bowed down mine ear a little, and received her,
and gat much learning.
{51:17} I profited therein, therefore will I ascribe glory
unto him that giveth me wisdom.
{51:18} For I purposed to do after her, and earnestly I
followed that which is good; so shall I not be confounded.
{51:19} My soul hath wrestled with her, and in my doings
I was exact: I stretched forth my hands to the heaven above,
and bewailed my ignorances of her.
{51:20} I directed my soul unto her, and I found her in
pureness: I have had my heart joined with her from the
beginning, therefore shall I not be foresaken.
{51:21} My heart was troubled in seeking her: therefore
have I gotten a good possession.
{51:22} The Lord hath given me a tongue for my reward,
and I will praise him therewith.
{51:23} Draw near unto me, ye unlearned, and dwell in
the house of learning.
{51:24} Wherefore are ye slow, and what say ye to these
things, seeing your souls are very thirsty?
{51:25} I opened my mouth, and said, Buy her for
yourselves without money.
{51:26} Put your neck under the yoke, and let your soul
receive instruction: she is hard at hand to find.
{51:27} Behold with your eyes, how that I have but little
labour, and have gotten unto me much rest.
{51:28} Get learning with a great sum of money, and get
much gold by her.
{51:29} Let your soul rejoice in his mercy, and be not
ashamed of his praise.
{51:30} Work your work betimes, and in his time he will
give you your reward
APOCRYPHA
 SIRACH OF THE KING JAMES BIBLE 1611