Wisdom of Ben Sira 1:1-4
New Catholic Bible
Prologue[a]
1 Many important teachings 2 have come down to us through the Law and the Prophets and the other writers who succeeded them, 3 and, as a result, praise is due to Israel for its traditions of learning and wisdom.
4 It devolves upon those who read the Scriptures not only to understand them thoroughly 5 but as lovers of learning to use their skill 6 in writing and speaking to increase the knowledge of others. 7 My grandfather Jesus, having devoted himself to the intensive reading 8 of the Law 9 and the Prophets 10 and the other Writings of our ancestors, 11 and having gained considerable proficiency in them, 12 was inspired himself to compose some writings on the subject of learning and wisdom, 13 in order that, by becoming familiar with what he had written, those who love learning 14 might achieve even greater progress in living in conformity with the Law.
15 Therefore, you are 16 invited to read this 17 attentively and with an open mind 18 and to exhibit a spirit of understanding forgiveness 19 when, despite the most diligent efforts in translation, 20 I may seem to have rendered some passages inadequately. 21 For words originally expressed in Hebrew 22 do not have the same sense when translated into another language. 23 Not only this present Book 24 but even the Law itself, the Prophets, 25 and the rest of the Books 26 differ quite a bit when they are read in the original.
27 When in the thirty-eighth year of the reign of King Euergetes 28 I arrived in Egypt and set up my residence there, 29 I discovered that the Book has great educational value,[b] 30 and I considered it essential to devote some energy and labor to its translation. 31 During this period of time I have applied my skill day and night 32 in working toward the completion of this Book 33 and supervising its publication 34 for the benefit of those living abroad who wish to acquire learning 35 and are disposed to live their lives according to the Law.
Counsels of a Teacher of Wisdom[c]
The Roots of Wisdom
Chapter 1
All Wisdom Derives from the Lord[d]
1 All wisdom[e] derives from the Lord
and remains with him forever.
2 The sands of the sea, the drops of rain,
and the days of eternity—who can count them?
3 The height of the sky, the breadth of the earth,
the depth of the abyss[f]—who can explore them?
4 Wisdom was created before all other things;
and prudent understanding has existed from eternity.
Footnotes
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 1:1 After completing his work, the translator adds a prologue that provides interesting information. First of all the Book was written in Hebrew by his grandfather. And at that era, the sacred books were already grouped into three titles that have become traditional: the Law (or Torah), the Prophets, and the Writings (among which were the Psalms, Job, and the Sapiential texts). It was the author’s purpose to give a commentary or a meditation on these sacred texts. This prologue is generally regarded as noncanonical.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 1:1 I discovered . . . great educational value: some early MSS; Greek reads: “I found opportunity for no little instruction.”
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 1:1 There follow, in no precise plan, thoughts about disparate topics, interspersed from time to time with poetic pieces in praise of Wisdom or the Creator.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 1:1 The mystery of creation seems inaccessible, and still more sublime, is the wisdom that it manifests. Thus, in the Book of Proverbs (Prov 8:22f), she is presented to us as the thought and the plan of God, his coworker in all that he has made. She is given to human beings as a grace, as the most profound treasure of their life. Every Christian is marked by the Holy Spirit with the seal of wisdom (Acts 2:17-33).
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 1:1 Wisdom: the author uses this word in various senses. Sometimes he speaks of wisdom as divine, at other times as human, and at still others as a synonym for God’s law. All three types derive from God. In this and the following seven verses, he is alluding to true wisdom, God’s external revelation of himself. Lord: used by the translator of Sirach for “Yahweh” and even for other divine names.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 1:3 Depth of the abyss: some early MSS read simply: “the abyss.”
