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Foreword

Inasmuch as many and great truths have been given to us through the Law, the prophets, and the authors who followed them,[a] for which the instruction and wisdom of Israel merit praise, it is the duty of those who read the scriptures not only to become knowledgeable themselves but also to use their love of learning in speech and in writing to help others less familiar. So my grandfather Jesus, who had long devoted himself to the study of the law, the prophets, and the rest of the books of our ancestors, and had acquired great familiarity with them, was moved to write something himself regarding instruction and wisdom. He did this so that those who love learning might, by accepting what he had written, make even greater progress in living according to the Law.

You are invited therefore to read it with good will and attention, with indulgence for any failure on our part, despite earnest efforts, in the interpretation of particular passages. For words spoken originally in Hebrew do not have the same effect when they are translated into another language. That is true not only of this book but of the Law itself, the prophecies, and the rest of the books, which differ no little when they are read in the original.

I arrived in Egypt in the thirty-eighth year of the reign of King Euergetes, and while there, I had access to no little learning. I therefore considered it my duty to devote some diligence and industry to the translation of this book. During this time I applied my skill for many sleepless hours to complete the book and publish it for those living abroad who wish to acquire learning and are disposed to live their lives according to the Law.

The Wisdom of Ben Sira

Chapter 1

God’s Gift of Wisdom[b]

All wisdom[c] is from the Lord
    and remains with him forever.(A)
The sands of the sea, the drops of rain,
    the days of eternity—who can count them?
Heaven’s height, earth’s extent,
    the abyss and wisdom—who can explore them?
Before all other things wisdom was created;
    and prudent understanding, from eternity.[d]

The root of wisdom—to whom has it been revealed?
    Her subtleties—who knows them?[e](B)
[f]There is but one, wise and truly awesome,
    seated upon his throne—the Lord.
It is he who created her,
    saw her and measured her,(C)
Poured her forth upon all his works,
10     upon every living thing according to his bounty,
    lavished her upon those who love him.

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Footnotes

  1. Foreword The Law, the prophets, and the authors who followed them: an indication of the eventual tripartite division of the Hebrew Scriptures: Law (torah), Prophets (nebi’im), and Writings (ketubim), shortened in the acronym Tanak. Thirty-eighth…Euergetes: 132 B.C. The reference is to Ptolemy VII, Physkon Euergetes II (170–163; 145–117 B.C.).
  2. 1:1–10 This brief poem serves as an introduction to the book. The Lord is the source and preserver of all wisdom, which he pours out upon all. See Jb 28:20–28; Prv 2:6; 8:22–31; Wis 7:25–27.
  3. 1:1 Wisdom: throughout the book Ben Sira describes in great detail just what wisdom is: sometimes divine (1:6, 8), sometimes a synonym for God’s law (24:22–23). Ben Sira makes clear that all wisdom comes from God.
  4. 1:4

    Other ancient texts read as v. 5:

    The wellspring of wisdom is the word of God in the heights,

    and its runlets are the ageless commandments.

  5. 1:6

    Other ancient texts read as v. 7:

    An understanding of wisdom—to whom has this been disclosed;

    her resourcefulness, who has known?

  6. 1:8–10 In contrast to Jb 28, wisdom is not only with God, but given to all, especially Israel; see Bar 3:9; 4:4.