THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON

Love righteousness, ye that be judges of the earth, for into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter.  The spirit of the Lord filleth the world:  therefore he that speaketh unrighteous things cannot be hid.  Seek not death in the error of your life:  for God made not death, and righteousness is immortal.  The ungodly reason, but not aright:  life is short and tedious, which, being extinguished, our bodies shall be turned into ashes, and our spirit vanish as the soft air.  Come, therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are present.  Their own wickedness hath blinded them, for God created man to be immortal.

Nevertheless, through envy of the devil came death into the world.  The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and there shall no torments touch them.  Having been a little chastised they shall be greatly rewarded.  Better to have no children and to have virtue; for children begotten of unlawful beds are witnesses against their parents.  Honourable age is not measured by number of years.  He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time.  For his soul pleased the Lord:  Therefore, hasted he to take him away from among the wicked.  This the people saw and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds.  That his grace and mercy are with his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen.  The wicked wonder at the godly, and say:  What hath pride profited us?  And what good hath riches, with our vaunting, brought us?  All those things are passed away like a shadow.  The hope of the ungodly is like dust that is blown away:  but the righteous live for evermore:  their reward is a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand.  Wisdom is easily found of such as seek her, therefore princes must desire her; for a wise prince is the stay of his people.  He that hath Wisdom hath every good thing.  Moreover, by her means man shall obtain immortality, and leave behind him an everlasting memorial.

THE WISDOM OF JESUS THE SON OF SIRACH; OR ECCLESIASTICUS.

There are two prologues to this book.  The first is by an uncertain author, stating that the book is the compilation of three hands and is in imitation of the Book of Solomon.  The second prologue is by Jesus, the son of Sirach and grandchild to Jesus of the same name, who had read the law and the prophets and other books of the fathers, and had been drawn himself to write something pertaining to wisdom and learning.  Coming into Egypt when Euergetes was king, Jesus, son of Sirach, found a book of no small learning and bestowed diligence and travail to interpret it, and to bring it to an end.  The following are among the precepts given: 

All wisdom cometh from the Lord:  she is with all flesh according to his gift.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and driveth away sins.  My son, if thou come to serve the Lord,