Sirach 1 — GMV

1 Verse 1 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 by 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 entreat you to read it with favor and attention, and to pardon us, wherein we may seem to come short of some words, which we have labored 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, ^{Verse 2} Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, ^{Verse 3} Who can find out the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, ^{Verse 4} Wisdom hath been created before all things, ^{Verse 6} To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed? ^{Verse 8} There is one wise and greatly to be feared, ^{Verse 9} He created her, and saw her, and numbered her, ^{Verse 10} She is with all flesh according to his gift, ^{Verse 11} The fear of the Lord is honor, and glory, ^{Verse 12} The fear of the Lord maketh a merry heart, ^{Verse 13} Whoso feareth the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last, ^{Verse 14} To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: ^{Verse 15} She hath built an everlasting foundation with men, ^{Verse 16} To fear the Lord is fullness of wisdom, ^{Verse 17} She filleth all their house with things desirable, ^{Verse 18} The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, ^{Verse 19} Wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of understanding, ^{Verse 20} The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, ^{Verse 22} A furious man cannot be justified; ^{Verse 23} A patient man will bear for a time, ^{Verse 24} He will hide his words for a time, ^{Verse 25} The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of wisdom: ^{Verse 26} If thou desire wisdom, keep the commandments, ^{Verse 27} For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction: ^{Verse 28} Distrust not the fear of the Lord when thou art poor; ^{Verse 29} Be not a hypocrite in the sight of men, ^{Verse 30} Exalt not thyself, lest thou fall,