The praises of the holy fathers, in particular of Enoch, Noe, Abraham,Isaac, and Jacob.
44:1. Let us now praise men of renown and our fathers in their generation.
44:2. The Lord hath wrought great glory through his magnificence from the beginning.
44:3. Such as have borne rule in their dominions, men of great power, and endued with their wisdom, shewing forth in the prophets the dignity of prophets,
44:4. And ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words.
44:5. Such as by their skill sought out musical tunes, and published canticles of the scriptures.
44:6. Rich men in virtue, studying beautifulness: living at peace in their houses.
44:7. All these have gained glory in their generations, and were praised in their days.
44:8. They that were born of them have left a name behind them, that their praises might be related:
44:9. And there are some, of whom there is no memorial: who are perished, as if they had never been: and are become as if they had never been born, and their children with them.
44:10. But these were men of mercy, whose godly deeds have not failed:
44:11. Good things continue with their seed,
44:12. Their posterity are a holy inheritance, and their seed hath stood in the covenants.
44:13. And their children for their sakes remain for ever: their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken.
44:14. Their bodies are buried in peace, and their name liveth unto generation and generation.
44:15. Let the people shew forth their wisdom, and the church declare their praise.
44:16. Henoch pleased God, and was translated into paradise, that he may give repentance to the nations.
44:17. Noe was found perfect, just, and in the time of wrath he was made a reconciliation.
44:18. Therefore was there a remnant left to the earth, when the flood came.
44:19. The covenants of the world were made with him, that all flesh should no more be destroyed with the flood.
44:20. Abraham was the great father of a multitude of nations, and there was not found the like to him in glory, who kept the law of the most High, and was in covenant with him.
44:21. In his flesh he established the covenant, and in temptation he was found faithful.
44:22. Therefore by an oath he gave him glory in his posterity, that he should increase as the dust of the earth,
44:23. And that he would exalt his seed as the stars, and they should inherit from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.
44:24. And he did in like manner with Isaac for the sake of Abraham his father.
44:25. The Lord gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed his covenant upon the head of Jacob.
44:26. He acknowledged him in his blessings, and gave him an inheritance, and divided him his portion in twelve tribes.
44:27. And he preserved for him men of mercy, that found grace in the eyes of all flesh.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 45
The praises of Moses, of Aaron, and of Phinees.
45:1. Moses was beloved of God, and men: whose memory is in benediction.
45:2. He made him like the saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease.
45:3. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and shewed him his glory.
45:4. He sanctified him in his faith, and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh.
45:5. For he heard him, and his voice, and brought him into a cloud.
45:6. And he gave him commandments before his face, and a law of life and instruction, that he might teach Jacob his covenant, and Israel his judgments.
45:7. He exalted Aaron his brother, and like to himself of the tribe of Levi:
45:8. He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him the priesthood of the nation, and made him blessed in glory,
45:9. And he girded him about with a glorious girdle, and clothed him with a robe of glory, and crowned him with majestic attire.
45:10. He put upon him a garment to the feet, and breeches, and an ephod, and he compassed him with many little bells of gold all round about,
45:11. That as he went there might be a sound, and a noise made that might be heard in the temple, for a memorial to the children of his people.
45:12. He gave him a holy robe of gold, and blue, and purple, a woven work of a wise man, endued with judgment and truth:
45:13. Of twisted scarlet the work of an artist, with precious stones cut and set in gold, and graven by the work of a lapidary for a memorial, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
45:14. And a crown of gold upon his mitre wherein was engraved Holiness, an ornament of honour: a work of power, and delightful to the eyes for its beauty.
45:15. Before him there were none so beautiful, even from the beginning.
45:16. No stranger was ever clothed with them, but only his children alone, and his grandchildren for ever.
45:17. His sacrifices were consumed with fire every day.
45:18. Moses filled his hands and anointed him with holy oil.
45:19. This was made to him for an everlasting testament, and to his seed as the days of heaven, to execute the office of the priesthood, and to have praise, and to glorify his people in his name.
45:20. He chose him out of all men living, to offer sacrifice to God, incense, and a good savour, for a memorial to make reconciliation for his people:
45:21. And he gave him power in his commandments, in the covenants of his judgments, that he should teach Jacob his testimonies, and give light to Israel in his law.
45:22. And strangers stood up against him, and through envy the men that were with Dathan and Abiron, compassed him about in the wilderness, and the congregation of Core in their wrath.
45:23. The Lord God saw and it pleased him not, and they were consumed in his wrathful indignation.
45:24. He wrought wonders upon them, and consumed them with a flame of fire.
45:25. And he added glory to Aaron, and gave him an inheritance, and divided unto him the firstfruits of the increase of the earth.
45:26. He prepared them bread in the first place unto fulness: for the sacrifices also of the Lord they shall eat, which he gave to him, and to his seed.
45:27. But he shall not inherit among the people in the land, and he hath no portion among the people: for he himself is his portion and inheritance.
45:28. Phinees the son of Eleazar is the third in glory, by imitating him in the fear of the Lord:
45:29. And he stood up in the shameful fall of the people: in the goodness and readiness of his soul he appeased God for Israel.
45:30. Therefore he made to him a covenant of peace, to be the prince of the sanctuary, and of his people, that the dignity of priesthood should be to him and to his seed for ever.
45:31. And a covenant to David the king, the son of Jesse of the tribe of Juda, an inheritance to him and to his seed, that he might give wisdom into our heart to judge his people in justice, that their good things might not be abolished, and he made their glory in their nation everlasting.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 46
The praise of Josue, of Caleb, and of Samuel.
46:1. Valiant in war was Jesus the son of Nave, who was successor of Moses among the prophets, who was great according to his name,
Jesus the son of Nave… So Josue is named in the Greek Bibles. ForJosue and Jesus signify the same thing, viz., a saviour.
46:2. Very great for the saving the elect of God, to overthrow the enemies that rose up against them, that he might get the inheritance for Israel.
46:3. How great glory did he gain when he lifted up his hands, and stretched out swords against the cities?
46:4. Who before him hath so resisted? for the Lord himself brought the enemies.
46:5. Was not the sun stopped in his anger, and one day made as two?
46:6. He called upon the most high Sovereign when the enemies assaulted him on every side, and the great and holy God heard him by hailstones of exceeding great force.
46:7. He made a violent assault against the nation of his enemies, and in the descent he destroyed the adversaries.
And in the descent… Of Beth-horon (Jos. 10.).
46:8. That the nations might know his power, that it is not easy to fight against God. And he followed the mighty one:
46:9. And in the days of Moses he did a work of mercy, he and Caleb the son of Jephone, in standing against the enemy, and withholding the people from sins, and appeasing the wicked murmuring.
46:10. And they two being appointed, were delivered out of the danger from among the number of six hundred thousand men on foot, to bring them into their inheritance, into the land that floweth with milk and honey.
46:11. And the Lord gave strength also to Caleb, and his strength continued even to his old age, so that he went up to the high places of the land, and his seed obtained it for an inheritance:
46:12. That all the children of Israel might see, that it is good to obey the holy God.
46:13. Then all the judges, every one by name, whose heart was not corrupted: who turned not away from the Lord,
46:14. That their memory might be blessed, and their bones spring up out of their place,
46:15. And their name continue for ever, the glory of the holy men remaining unto their children.
46:16. Samuel the prophet of the Lord, the beloved of the Lord his God, established a new government, and anointed princes over his people.
46:17. By the law of the Lord he judged the congregation, and the God of Jacob beheld, and by his fidelity he was proved a prophet.
46:18. And he was known to be faithful in his words, because he saw the God of light:
46:19. And called upon the name of the Lord Almighty, in fighting against the enemies who beset him on every side, when he offered a lamb without blemish.
46:20. And the Lord thundered from heaven, and with a great noise made his voice to be heard.
46:21. And he crushed the princes of the Tyrians, and all the lords of the Philistines:
46:22. And before the time of the end of his life in the world, he protested before the Lord, and his anointed: money, or any thing else, even to a shoe, he had not taken of any man, and no man did accuse him.
46:23. And after this he slept, and he made known to the king, and shewed him the end of his life, and he lifted up his voice from the earth in prophecy to blot out the wickedness of the nation.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 47
The praise of Nathan, of David, and of Solomon: Of his fall and punishment.
47:1. Then Nathan the prophet arose in the days of David.
47:2. And as the fat taken away from the flesh, so was David chosen from among the children of Israel.
47:3. He played with lions as with lambs: and with bears he did in like manner as with the lambs of the flock, in his youth.
47:4. Did not he kill the giant, and take away reproach from his people?
47:5. In lifting up his hand, with the stone in the sling he beat down the boasting of Goliath:
47:6. For he called upon the Lord the Almighty, and he gave strength in his right hand, to take away the mighty warrior, and to set up the horn of his nation.
47:7. So in ten thousand did he glorify him, and praised him in the blessings of the Lord, in offering to him a crown of glory:
47:8. For he destroyed the enemies on every side, and extirpated the Philistines the adversaries unto this day: he broke their horn for ever.
47:9. In all his works he gave thanks to the holy one, and to the most High, with words of glory.
47:10. With his whole heart he praised the Lord, and loved God that made him: and he gave him power against his enemies:
47:11. And he set singers before the altar, and by their voices he made sweet melody.
47:12. And to the festivals he added beauty, and set in order the solemn times even to the end of his life, that they should praise the holy name of the Lord, and magnify the holiness of God in the morning.
47:13. The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn for ever: and he gave him a covenant of the kingdom, and a throne of glory in Israel.
47:14. After him arose up a wise son, and for his sake he cast down all the power of the enemies.
47:15. Solomon reigned in days of peace, and God brought all his enemies under him, that he might build a house in his name, and prepare a sanctuary for ever: O how wise wast thou in thy youth!
47:16. And thou wast filled as a river with wisdom, and thy soul covered the earth.
47:17. And thou didst multiply riddles in parables: thy name went abroad to the islands far off, and thou wast beloved in thy peace.
47:18. The countries wondered at thee for thy canticles, and proverbs, and parables, and interpretations,
47:19. And at the name of the Lord God, whose surname is, God of Israel.
47:20. Thou didst gather gold as copper, and didst multiply silver as lead,
47:21. And thou didst bow thyself to women: and by thy body thou wast brought under subjection.
47:22. Thou hast stained thy glory, and defiled thy seed so as to bring wrath upon thy children, and to have thy folly kindled,
47:23. That thou shouldst make the kingdom to be divided, and out of Ephraim a rebellious kingdom to rule.
47:24. But God will not leave off his mercy, and he will not destroy, nor abolish his own works, neither will he cut up by the roots the offspring of his elect: and he will not utterly take away the seed of him that loveth the Lord.
47:25. Wherefore he gave a remnant to Jacob, and to David of the same stock.
47:26. And Solomon had an end with his fathers.
47:27. And he left behind him of his seed, the folly of the nation,
47:28. Even Roboam that had little wisdom, who turned away the people through his counsel:
47:29. And Jeroboam the son of Nabat, who caused Israel to sin, and shewed Ephraim the way of sin, and their sins were multiplied exceedingly.
47:30. They removed them far away from their land.
47:31. And they sought out all iniquities, till vengeance came upon them, and put an end to all their sins.
Ecclesiasticus Chapte 48
The praise of Elias, of Eliseus, of Ezechias, and of Isaias.
48:1. And Elias the prophet stood up, as a fire, and his word burnt like a torch.
48:2. He brought a famine upon them, and they that provoked him in their envy, were reduced to a small number, for they could not endure the commandments of the Lord.
48:3. By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven, and he brought down fire from heaven thrice.
48:4. Thus was Elias magnified in his wondrous works. And who can glory like to thee?
48:5. Who raisedst up a dead man from below, from the lot of death, by the word of the Lord God.
48:6. Who broughtest down kings to destruction, and brokest easily their power in pieces, and the glorious from their bed.
48:7. Who heardest judgment in Sina, and in Horeb the judgments of vengeance.
48:8. Who anointedst kings to penance, and madest prophets successors after thee.
48:9. Who wast taken up in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot of fiery horses.
48:10. Who art registered in the judgments of times to appease the wrath of the Lord, to reconcile the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
48:11. Blessed are they that saw thee, and were honoured with thy friendship.
48:12. For we live only in our life, but after death our name shall not be such.
48:13. Elias was indeed covered with the whirlwind, and his spirit was filled up in Eliseus: in his days he feared not the prince, and no man was more powerful than he.
48:14. No word could overcome him, and after death his body prophesied.
48:15. In his life he did great wonders, and in death he wrought miracles.
48:16. For all this the people repented not, neither did they depart from their sins till they were cast out of their land, and were scattered through all the earth.
48:17. And there was left but a small people, and a prince in the house of David.
48:18. Some of these did that which pleased God: but others committed many sins.
48:19. Ezechias fortified his city, and brought in water into the midst thereof, and he digged a rock with iron, and made a well for water.
48:20. In his days Sennacherib came up, and sent Rabsaces, and lifted up his hand against them, and he stretched out his hand against Sion, and became proud through his power.
48:21. Then their hearts and hands trembled, and they were in pain as women in travail.
48:22. And they called upon the Lord who is merciful, and spreading their hands, they lifted them up to heaven: and the holy Lord God quickly heard their voice.
48:23. He was not mindful of their sins, neither did he deliver them up to their enemies, but he purified them by the hand of Isaias, the holy prophet.
48:24. He overthrew the army of the Assyrians, and the angel of the Lord destroyed them.
48:25. For Ezechias did that which pleased God, and walked valiantly in the way of David his father, which Isaias, the great prophet, and faithful in the sight of God, had commanded him.
48:26. In his days the sun wen backward, and he lengthened the king's life.
48:27. With a great spirit he saw the things that are to come to pass at last, and comforted the mourners in Sion.
48:28. He showed what should come to pass for ever, and secret things before they came.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 49
The praise of Josias, of Jeremias, Ezechiel, and the twelve prophets.Also of Zorobabel, Jesus the son of Josedech, Nehemias, Enoch, Joseph,Seth, Sem, and Adam.
49:1. The memory of Josias is like the composition of a sweet smell made by the art of a perfumer:
49:2. His remembrance shall be sweet as honey in every mouth, and as music at a banquet of wine.
49:3. He was directed by God unto the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abominations of wickedness.
49:4. And he directed his heart towards the Lord, and in the days of sinners he strengthened godliness.
49:5. Except David, and Ezechias and Josias, all committed sin.
49:6. For the kings of Juda forsook the law of the most High, and despised the fear of God.
49:7. So they gave their kingdom to others, and their glory to a strange nation,
49:8. They burnt the chosen city of holiness, and made the streets thereof desolate according to the prediction of Jeremias.
49:9. For they treated him evil, who was consecrated a prophet from his mother's womb, to overthrow, and pluck up, and destroy, and to build again, and renew.
49:10. It was Ezechiel that saw the glorious vision, which was shewn him upon the chariot of cherubims.
49:11. For he made mention of the enemies under the figure of rain, and of doing good to them that shewed right ways.
49:12. And may the bones of the twelve prophets spring up out of their place: for they strengthened Jacob, and redeemed themselves by strong faith.
49:13. How shall we magnify Zorobabel? for he was as a signet on the right hand;
49:14. In like manner Jesus the son of Josedec who in their days built the house, and set up a holy temple to the Lord, prepared for everlasting glory.
49:15. And let Nehemias be a long time remembered, who raised up for us our walls that were cast down, and set up the gates and the bars, who rebuilt our houses.
49:16. No man was born upon earth like Henoch: for he also was taken up from the earth.
49:17. Nor as Joseph, who was a man born prince of his brethren, the support of his family, the ruler of his brethren, the stay of the people:
49:18. And his bones were visited, and after death they prophesied.
They prophesied… That is, by their being carried out of Egypt they verified the prophetic prediction of Joseph. Gen. 50.
49:19. Seth and Sem obtained glory among men: and above every soul Adam in the beginning,
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 50
The praises of Simon the high priest. The conclusion.
50:1. Simon the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his life propped up the house, and in his days fortified the temple.
50:2. By him also the height of the temple was founded, the double building and the high walls of the temple.
50:3. In his days the wells of water flowed out, and they were filled as the sea above measure.
50:4. He took care of his nation, and delivered it from destruction.
50:5. He prevailed to enlarge the city, and obtained glory in his conversation with the people: and enlarged the entrance of the house and the court.
50:6. He shone in his days as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full.
50:7. And as the sun when it shineth, so did he shine in the temple of God.
50:8. And as the rainbow giving light in bright clouds, and as the flower of roses in the days of the spring, and as the lilies that are on the brink of the water, and as the sweet smelling frankincense in the time of summer.
50:9. As a bright fire, and frankincense burning in the fire.
50:10. As a massy vessel of gold, adorned with every precious stone.
50:11. As an olive tree budding forth, and a cypress tree rearing itself on high, when he put on the robe of glory, and was clothed with the perfection of power.
Clothed with the perfection of power… That is, with all the vestments denoting his dignity and authority.
50:12. When he went up to the holy altar, he honoured the vesture of holiness.
50:13. And when he took the portions out of the hands of the priests, he himself stood by the altar. And about him was the ring of his brethren: and as the cedar planted in mount Libanus,
50:14. And as branches of palm trees, they stood round about him, and all the sons of Aaron in their glory.
50:15. And the oblation of the Lord was in their hands, before all the congregation of Israel: and finishing his service, on the altar, to honour the offering of the most high King,
50:16. He stretched forth his hand to make a libation, and offered of the blood of the grape.
50:17. He poured out at the foot of the altar a divine odour to the most high Prince.
50:18. Then the sons of Aaron shouted, they sounded with beaten trumpets, and made a great noise to be heard for a remembrance before God.
50:19. Then all the people together made haste, and fell down to the earth upon their faces, to adore the Lord their God, and to pray to the Almighty God the most High.
50:20. And the singers lifted up their voices, and in the great house the sound of sweet melody was increased.
50:21. And the people in prayer besought the Lord the most High, until the worship of the Lord was perfected, and they had finished their office.
50:22. Then coming down, he lifted up his hands over all the congregation of the children of Israel, to give glory to God with his lips, and to glory in his name:
50:23. And he repeated his prayer, willing to shew the power of God.
50:24. And now pray ye to the God of all, who hath done great things in all the earth, who hath increased our days from our mother's womb, and hath done with us according to his mercy.
50:25. May he grant us joyfulness of heart, and that there be peace in our days in Israel for ever:
50:26. That Israel may believe that the mercy of God is with us, to deliver us in his days.
50:27. There are two nations which my soul abhorreth: and the third is no nation: which I hate:
Abhorreth… Viz., with a holy indignation, as enemies of God and persecutors of his people. Such were then the Edomites who abode in mount Seir, the Philistines, and the Samaritans who dwelt in Sichem, and had their schismatical temple in that neighbourhood.
50:28. They that sit on mount Seir, and the Philistines, and the foolish people that dwell in Sichem.
50:29. Jesus the son of Sirach, of Jerusalem, hath written in this book the doctrine of wisdom and instruction, who renewed wisdom from his heart.
50:30. Blessed is he that is conversant in these good things and he that layeth them up in his heart, shall be wise always.
50:31. For if he do them, he shall be strong to do all things: because the light of God guideth his steps.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 51
A prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
51:1. A prayer of Jesus the son of Sirach. I will give glory to thee, O Lord, O King, and I will praise thee, O God my Saviour.
51:2. I will give glory to thy name: for thou hast been a helper and protector to me.
51:3. And hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies, and in the sight of them that stood by, thou hast been my helper.
51:4. And thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour.
51:5. Out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions, which compassed me about:
51:6. From the oppression of the flame which surrounded me, and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt.
51:7. From the depth of the belly of hell, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue:
51:8. My soul shall praise the Lord even to death.
51:9. And my life was drawing near to hell beneath.
51:10. They compassed me on every side, and there was no one that would help me. I looked for the succour of men, and there was none.
51:11. I remembered thy mercy, O Lord, and thy works, which are from the beginning of the world.
51:12. How thou deliverest them that wait for thee, O Lord, and savest them out of the hands of the nations.
51:13. Thou hast exalted my dwelling place upon the earth and I have prayed for death to pass away.
51:14. I called upon the Lord, the father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the day of my trouble, and in the time of the proud without help.
51:15. I will praise thy name continually, and will praise it with thanksgiving, and my prayer was heard.
51:16. And thou hast saved me from destruction, and hast delivered me from the evil time.
51:17. Therefore I will give thanks, and praise thee, and bless the name of the Lord.
51:18. When I was yet young, before I wandered about, I sought for wisdom openly in my prayer.
51:19. I prayed for her before the temple, and unto the very end I will seek after her, and she flourished as a grape soon ripe.
51:20. My heart delighted in her, my foot walked in the right way, from my youth up I sought after her.
51:21. I bowed down my ear a little, and received her.
51:22. I found much wisdom in myself, and profited much therein.
51:23. To him that giveth me wisdom, will I give glory.
51:24. For I have determined to follow her: I have had a zeal for good, and shall not be confounded.
51:25. My soul hath wrestled for her, and in doing it I have been confirmed.
51:26. I stretched forth my hands on high, and I bewailed my ignorance of her.
51:27. I directed my soul to her, and in knowledge I found her.
51:28. I possessed my heart with her from the beginning: therefore I shall not be forsaken.
51:29. My entrails were troubled in seeking her: therefore shall I possess a good possession.
51:30. The Lord hath given me a tongue for my reward: and with it I will praise him.
51:31. Draw near to me, ye unlearned, and gather yourselves together into the hours of discipline.
51:32. Why are ye slow and what do you say of these things? your souls are exceeding thirsty.
51:33. I have opened my mouth, and have spoken: buy her for yourselves without silver,
51:34. And submit your neck to the yoke, and let your soul receive discipline: for she is near at hand to be found.
51:35. Behold with your eyes how I have laboured a little, and have found much rest to myself.
51:36. Receive ye discipline as a great sum of money, and possess abundance of gold by her.
51:37. Let your soul rejoice in his mercy and you shall not be confounded in his praise.
51:38. Work your work before the time, and he will give you your reward in his time.