43.2 The Drop Radio

Author: Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sirach.

Date Written: 200-175 BC

 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resources/bible/introduction-to-the-old-testament/sirach

The contents of the Wisdom of Ben Sira are of a discursive nature, not easily divided into separate parts. Chapters 1–43 deal largely with moral instruction; 44:1–50:24 contain a eulogy of the heroes of Israel. There are two appendixes in which the author expresses his gratitude to God (51:1–12), and invites the unschooled to acquire true wisdom (51:13–30).

 

Page 599          Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

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 sonreceiving 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 skillful 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.