by Septuagint
Chapter 16
[1] Therefore by the like were they punished worthily, and by the multitude of beasts tormented. [2] Instead of which punishment, dealing graciously with thine own people, thou preparedst for them meat of a strange taste, even quails to stir up their appetite: [3] To the end that they, desiring food, might for the ugly sight of the beasts sent among them lothe even that, which they must needs desire; but these, suffering penury for a short space, might be made partakers of a strange taste. [4] For it was requisite, that upon them exercising tyranny should come penury, which they could not avoid: but to these it should only be shewed how their enemies were tormented. [5] For when the horrible fierceness of beasts came upon these, and they perished with the stings of crooked serpents, thy wrath endured not for ever:
[6] But they were troubled for a small season, that they might be admonished, having a sign of salvation, to put them in remembrance of the commandment of thy law. [7] For he that turned himself toward it was not saved by the thing that he saw, but by thee, that art the Saviour of all. [8] And in this thou madest thine enemies confess, that it is thou who deliverest from all evil: [9] For them the bitings of grasshoppers and flies killed, neither was there found any remedy for their life: for they were worthy to be punished by such. [10] But thy sons not the very teeth of venomous dragons overcame: for thy mercy was ever by them, and healed them. [11] For they were pricked, that they should remember thy words; and were quickly saved, that not falling into deep forgetfulness, they might be continually mindful of thy goodness.
[12] For it was neither herb, nor mollifying plaister, that restored them to health: but thy word, O Lord, which healeth all things. [13] For thou hast power of life and death: thou leadest to the gates of hell, and bringest up again. [14] A man indeed killeth through his malice: and the spirit, when it is gone forth, returneth not; neither the soul received up cometh again. [15] But it is not possible to escape thine hand.
[16] For the ungodly, that denied to know thee, were scourged by the strength of thine arm: with strange rains, hails, and showers, were they persecuted, that they could not avoid, and through fire were they consumed.
[17] For, which is most to be wondered at, the fire had more force in the water, that quencheth all things: for the world fighteth for the righteous. [18] For sometime the flame was mitigated, that it might not burn up the beasts that were sent against the ungodly; but themselves might see and perceive that they were persecuted with the judgment of God. [19] And at another time it burneth even in the midst of water above the power of fire, that it might destroy the fruits of an unjust land. [20] Instead whereof thou feddest thine own people with angels’ food, and didst send them from heaven bread prepared without their labour, able to content every man’s delight, and agreeing to every taste. [21] For thy sustenance declared thy sweetness unto thy children, and serving to the appetite of the eater, tempered itself to every man’s liking. [22] But snow and ice endured the fire, and melted not, that they might know that fire burning in the hail, and sparkling in the rain, did destroy the fruits of the enemies.
[23] But this again did even forget his own strength, that the righteous might be nourished. [24] For the creature that serveth thee, who art the Maker increaseth his strength against the unrighteous for their punishment, and abateth his strength for the benefit of such as put their trust in thee.
[25] Therefore even then was it altered into all fashions, and was obedient to thy grace, that nourisheth all things, according to the desire of them that had need: [26] That thy children, O Lord, whom thou lovest, might know, that it is not the growing of fruits that nourisheth man: but that it is thy word, which preserveth them that put their trust in thee.
[27] For that which was not destroyed of the fire, being warmed with a little sunbeam, soon melted away: [28] That it might be known, that we must prevent the sun to give thee thanks, and at the dayspring pray unto thee. [29] For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter’s hoar frost, and shall run away as unprofitable water.
Chapter 17
[1] For great are thy judgments, and cannot be expressed: therefore unnurtured souls have erred. [2] For when unrighteous men thought to oppress the holy nation; they being shut up in their houses, the prisoners of darkness, and fettered with the bonds of a long night, lay there exiled from the eternal providence. [3] For while they supposed to lie hid in their secret sins, they were scattered under a dark veil of forgetfulness, being horribly astonished, and troubled with strange apparitions. [4] For neither might the corner that held them keep them from fear: but noises as of waters falling down sounded about them, and sad visions appeared unto them with heavy countenances.
[5] No power of the fire might give them light: neither could the bright flames of the stars endure to lighten that horrible night. [6] Only there appeared unto them a fire kindled of itself, very dreadful: for being much terrified, they thought the things which they saw to be worse than the sight they saw not. [7] As for the illusions of art magick, they were put down, and their vaunting in wisdom was reproved with disgrace. [8] For they, that promised to drive away terrors and troubles from a sick soul, were sick themselves of fear, worthy to be laughed at.
[9] For though no terrible thing did fear them; yet being scared with beasts that passed by, and hissing of serpents, [10] They died for fear, denying that they saw the air, which could of no side be avoided.
[11] For wickedness, condemned by her own witness, is very timorous, and being pressed with conscience, always forecasteth grievous things. [12] For fear is nothing else but a betraying of the succours which reason offereth. [13] And the expectation from within, being less, counteth the ignorance more than the cause which bringeth the torment. [14] But they sleeping the same sleep that night, which was indeed intolerable, and which came upon them out of the bottoms of inevitable hell, [15] Were partly vexed with monstrous apparitions, and partly fainted, their heart failing them: for a sudden fear, and not looked for, came upon them. [16] So then whosoever there fell down was straitly kept, shut up in a prison without iron bars, [17] For whether he were husbandman, or shepherd, or a labourer in the field, he was overtaken, and endured that necessity, which could not be avoided: for they were all bound with one chain of darkness.
[18] Whether it were a whistling wind, or a melodious noise of birds among the spreading branches, or a pleasing fall of water running violently, [19] Or a terrible sound of stones cast down, or a running that could not be seen of skipping beasts, or a roaring voice of most savage wild beasts, or a rebounding echo from the hollow mountains; these things made them to swoon for fear. [20] For the whole world shined with clear light, and none were hindered in their labour: [21] Over them only was spread an heavy night, an image of that darkness which should afterward receive them: but yet were they unto themselves more grievous than the darkness.
Chapter 18
[1] Nevertheless thy saints had a very great light, whose voice they hearing, and not seeing their shape, because they also had not suffered the same things, they counted them happy. [2] But for that they did not hurt them now, of whom they had been wronged before, they thanked them, and besought them pardon for that they had been enemies. [3] Instead whereof thou gavest them a burning pillar of fire, both to be a guide of the unknown journey, and an harmless sun to entertain them honourably. [4] For they were worthy to be deprived of light and imprisoned in darkness, who had kept thy sons shut up, by whom the uncorrupt light of the law was to be given unto the world.
[5] And when they had determined to slay the babes of the saints, one child being cast forth, and saved, to reprove them, thou tookest away the multitude of their children, and destroyedst them altogether in a mighty water. [6] Of that night were our fathers certified afore, that assuredly knowing unto what oaths they had given credence, they might afterwards be of good cheer.
[7] So of thy people was accepted both the salvation of the righteous, and destruction of the enemies. [8] For wherewith thou didst punish our adversa
ries, by the same thou didst glorify us, whom thou hadst called. [9] For the righteous children of good men did sacrifice secretly, and with one consent made a holy law, that the saints should be like partakers of the same good and evil, the fathers now singing out the songs of praise.
[10] But on the other side there sounded an ill according cry of the enemies, and a lamentable noise was carried abroad for children that were bewailed. [11] The master and the servant were punished after one manner; and like as the king, so suffered the common person.
[12] So they all together had innumerable dead with one kind of death; neither were the living sufficient to bury them: for in one moment the noblest offspring of them was destroyed. [13] For whereas they would not believe any thing by reason of the enchantments; upon the destruction of the firstborn, they acknowledged this people to be the sons of God. [14] For while all things were in quiet silence, and that night was in the midst of her swift course, [15] Thine Almighty word leaped down from heaven out of thy royal throne, as a fierce man of war into the midst of a land of destruction, [16] And brought thine unfeigned commandment as a sharp sword, and standing up filled all things with death; and it touched the heaven, but it stood upon the earth. [17] Then suddenly visions of horrible dreams troubled them sore, and terrors came upon them unlooked for. [18] And one thrown here, and another there, half dead, shewed the cause of his death. [19] For the dreams that troubled them did foreshew this, lest they should perish, and not know why they were afflicted.
[20] Yea, the tasting of death touched the righteous also, and there was a destruction of the multitude in the wilderness: but the wrath endured not long. [21] For then the blameless man made haste, and stood forth to defend them; and bringing the shield of his proper ministry, even prayer, and the propitiation of incense, set himself against the wrath, and so brought the calamity to an end, declaring that he was thy servant.
[22] So he overcame the destroyer, not with strength of body, nor force of arms, but with a word subdued him that punished, alleging the oaths and covenants made with the fathers. [23] For when the dead were now fallen down by heaps one upon another, standing between, he stayed the wrath, and parted the way to the living. [24] For in the long garment was the whole world, and in the four rows of the stones was the glory of the fathers graven, and thy Majesty upon the diadem of his head. [25] Unto these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them: for it was enough that they only tasted of the wrath.
Chapter 19
[1] As for the ungodly, wrath came upon them without mercy unto the end: for he knew before what they would do; [2] How that having given them leave to depart, and sent them hastily away, they would repent and pursue them. [3] For whilst they were yet mourning and making lamentation at the graves of the dead, they added another foolish device, and pursued them as fugitives, whom they had intreated to be gone. [4] For the destiny, whereof they were worthy, drew them unto this end, and made them forget the things that had already happened, that they might fulfil the punishment which was wanting to their torments: [5] And that thy people might pass a wonderful way: but they might find a strange death.
[6] For the whole creature in his proper kind was fashioned again anew, serving the peculiar commandments that were given unto them, that thy children might be kept without hurt: [7] As namely, a cloud shadowing the camp; and where water stood before, dry land appeared; and out of the Red sea a way without impediment; and out of the violent stream a green field: [8] Where through all the people went that were defended with thy hand, seeing thy marvellous strange wonders. [9] For they went at large like horses, and leaped like lambs, praising thee, O Lord, who hadst delivered them. [10] For they were yet mindful of the things that were done while they sojourned in the strange land, how the ground brought forth flies instead of cattle, and how the river cast up a multitude of frogs instead of fishes.
[11] But afterwards they saw a new generation of fowls, when, being led with their appetite, they asked delicate meats. [12] For quails came up unto them from the sea for their contentment. [13] And punishments came upon the sinners not without former signs by the force of thunders: for they suffered justly according to their own wickedness, insomuch as they used a more hard and hateful behaviour toward strangers. [14] For the Sodomites did not receive those, whom they knew not when they came: but these brought friends into bondage, that had well deserved of them. [15] And not only so, but peradventure some respect shall be had of those, because they used strangers not friendly: [16] But these very grievously afflicted them, whom they had received with feastings, and were already made partakers of the same laws with them. [17] Therefore even with blindness were these stricken, as those were at the doors of the righteous man: when, being compassed about with horrible great darkness, every one sought the passage of his own doors.
[18] For the elements were changed in themselves by a kind of harmony, like as in a psaltery notes change the name of the tune, and yet are always sounds; which may well be perceived by the sight of the things that have been done. [19] For earthly things were turned into watery, and the things, that before swam in the water, now went upon the ground. [20] The fire had power in the water, forgetting his own virtue: and the water forgat his own quenching nature. [21] On the other side, the flames wasted not the flesh of the corruptible living things, though they walked therein; neither melted they the icy kind of heavenly meat that was of nature apt to melt. [22] For in all things, O Lord, thou didst magnify thy people, and glorify them, neither didst thou lightly regard them: but didst assist them in every time and place.
Wisdom of the Son of Sirach
The Prologue to 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.
Chapter 1
[1] All wisdom cometh from the Lord, and is with him for ever. [2] Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of eternity? [3] Who can find out the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the deep, and wisdom?
[4] Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting. [5] The word of God most high is the fountain of wisdom; and her ways are everlasting commandments. [6] To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed? or who hath known her wise counsels? [7] Unto whom hath the knowledge of wisdom been made manifest? and who hath understood her great experience? [8] There is one wise and greatly to be feared, the Lord sitting upon his throne. [9] He created her, and saw her, and numbered her, and poured her out upon all his works. [10] She is with all f
lesh according to his gift, and he hath given her to them that love him.
[11] The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of rejoicing. [12] The fear of the Lord maketh a merry heart, and giveth joy, and gladness, and a long life. [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.
[14] To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and it was created with the faithful in the womb. [15] She hath built an everlasting foundation with men, and she shall continue with their seed. [16] To fear the Lord is fulness of wisdom, and filleth men with her fruits. [17] She filleth all their house with things desirable, and the garners with her increase. [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. [19] Wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of understanding standing, and exalteth them to honour that hold her fast.
[20] The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and the branches thereof are long life. [21] The fear of the Lord driveth away sins: and where it is present, it turneth away wrath. [22] A furious man cannot be justified; for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction. [23] A patient man will tear for a time, and afterward joy shall spring up unto him. [24] He will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom. [25] The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of wisdom: but godliness is an abomination to a sinner. [26] If thou desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord shall give her unto thee.
