Ecclesiasticus 1:4

Ecclesiasticus 1:4 Context

¹The 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. All wisdom cometh from the Lord, and is with him for ever. ²Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of eternity? ³Who can find out the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the deep, and wisdom? ⁴Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting. ⁵The word of God most high is the fountain of wisdom; and her ways are everlasting commandments. ⁶To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed? or who hath known her wise counsels? ⁷Unto whom hath the knowledge of wisdom been made manifest? and who hath understood her great experience?

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