Sirach 1

Good News Translation

Foreword

The Law, the Prophets, and the later writers have left us a wealth of valuable teachings, and we should praise Israel for the instruction and wisdom they provide. But it is not enough that those who read them should gain understanding for themselves. Anyone who values learning should be able to help others by what he himself says and writes. That is why my grandfather Jesus devoted himself to reading the Law, the Prophets, and the other books of our ancestors. After he had mastered them, he was led to write a book of his own in order to share his wisdom and learning with others, so that anyone who shared his love for learning should have his book available as well, and be all the more able to live according to the Law.

Let me urge you, then, to read this book carefully and with an open mind. And please be patient in those places where, in spite of all my diligent efforts, I may not have translated some phrases vry well. What was originally written in Hebrew does not always have exactly the same sense when it is translated into another language.^[a] That is true not only of this book, but even of the Law itself, the Prophets, and the other books. The translations differ quite a bit from the original.

I came to Egypt in the thirty-eighth year of King Euergetes' reign and stayed for some time. While I was there, I had the opportunity for a good deal of study and felt the necessity of translating the following book. I wanted to use all my diligence and skill to complete it and make it available for all those living in foreign lands who wish to learn and who have the strength of character to live by the Law of Moses.

In Praise of Wisdom

Self-control

²² There is no excuse for unjustified anger; it can bring about your downfall. ²³ Wait and be patient, and later you will be glad you did. ²⁴ Keep quiet until the right time to speak, and you will gain a reputation for good sense.

Wisdom and Reverence for God

²⁵ Wisdom has a treasury of wise sayings, but sinners have nothing but contempt for godliness. ²⁶ If you want to be wise, keep the Lord's commands, and he will give you Wisdom in abundance. ²⁷ Fearing the Lord is Wisdom and an education in itself. He is pleased by loyalty and humility. ²⁸ Be faithful in the practice of your religion; when you worship the Lord, do it with all your heart. ²⁹ Be careful about what you say, and don't be a hypocrite. ³⁰ Don't be arrogant; you may suffer a fall and be disgraced. The Lord will reveal your secrets and humble you in front of everyone in the synagogue, because you did not come there with reverence for the Lord, but with a heart full of hypocrisy.