So now, my son, love your kindred, and in your heart do not disdain your kindred, the sons and daughters of your people, by refusing to take a wife for yourself from among them. For in pride there is ruin and great confusion. And in idleness there is loss and dire poverty, because idleness is the mother of famine.

the demon will smell it and flee, and will never be seen near her any more. Now when you are about to go to bed with her, both of you must first stand up and pray, imploring the Lord of heaven that mercy and safety may be granted to you. Do not be afraid, for she was set apart for you before the world was made. You will save her, and she will go with you. I presume that you will have children by her, and they will be as brothers to you. Now say no more!’ When Tobias heard the words of Raphael and learned that she was his kinswoman, related through his father’s lineage, he loved her very much, and his heart was drawn to her.

Acknowledge the Lord, for he is good, and bless the King of the ages, so that his tent may be rebuilt in you in joy. May he cheer all those within you who are captives, and love all those within you who are distressed, to all generations for ever.

Happy are those who love you, and happy are those who rejoice in your prosperity. Happy also are all people who grieve with you because of your afflictions; for they will rejoice with you and witness all your glory for ever.

and in righteousness they will praise the eternal God. All the Israelites who are saved in those days and are truly mindful of God will be gathered together; they will go to Jerusalem and live in safety for ever in the land of Abraham, and it will be given over to them. Those who sincerely love God will rejoice, but those who commit sin and injustice will vanish from all the earth.

She was beautiful in appearance, and was very lovely to behold. Her husband Manasseh had left her gold and silver, men and women slaves, livestock, and fields; and she maintained this estate.

And the king loved Esther and she found favour beyond all the other virgins, so he put on her the queen’s diadem.

So Mordecai went away and did what Esther had told him to do.

Addition C

Mordecai’s Prayer

Then Mordecai prayed to the Lord, calling to remembrance all the works of the Lord. He said, ‘O Lord, Lord, you rule as King over all things, for the universe is in your power and there is no one who can oppose you when it is your will to save Israel, for you have made heaven and earth and every wonderful thing under heaven. You are Lord of all, and there is no one who can resist you, the Lord. You know all things; you know, O Lord, that it was not in insolence or pride or for any love of glory that I did this, and refused to bow down to this proud Haman; for I would have been willing to kiss the soles of his feet to save Israel! But I did this so that I might not set human glory above the glory of God, and I will not bow down to anyone but you, who are my Lord; and I will not do these things in pride. And now, O Lord God and King, God of Abraham, spare your people; for the eyes of our foes are upon us to annihilate us, and they desire to destroy the inheritance that has been yours from the beginning. Do not neglect your portion, which you redeemed for yourself out of the land of Egypt. Hear my prayer, and have mercy upon your inheritance; turn our mourning into feasting, that we may live and sing praise to your name, O Lord; do not destroy the lips of those who praise you.’ And all Israel cried out mightily, for their death was before their eyes.

Esther’s Prayer

Then Queen Esther, seized with deadly anxiety, fled to the Lord. She took off her splendid apparel and put on the garments of distress and mourning, and instead of costly perfumes she covered her head with ashes and dung, and she utterly humbled her body; every part that she loved to adorn she covered with her tangled hair. She prayed to the Lord God of Israel, and said: ‘O my Lord, you only are our king; help me, who am alone and have no helper but you, for my danger is in my hand. Ever since I was born I have heard in the tribe of my family that you, O Lord, took Israel out of all the nations, and our ancestors from among all their forebears, for an everlasting inheritance, and that you did for them all that you promised. And now we have sinned before you, and you have handed us over to our enemies because we glorified their gods. You are righteous, O Lord! And now they are not satisfied that we are in bitter slavery, but they have covenanted with their idols to abolish what your mouth has ordained, and to destroy your inheritance, to stop the mouths of those who praise you and to quench your altar and the glory of your house, to open the mouths of the nations for the praise of vain idols, and to magnify for ever a mortal king. ‘O Lord, do not surrender your sceptre to what has no being; and do not let them laugh at our downfall; but turn their plan against them, and make an example of him who began this against us. Remember, O Lord; make yourself known in this time of our affliction, and give me courage, O King of the gods and Master of all dominion! Put eloquent speech in my mouth before the lion, and turn his heart to hate the man who is fighting against us, so that there may be an end of him and those who agree with him. But save us by your hand, and help me, who am alone and have no helper but you, O Lord. You have knowledge of all things, and you know that I hate the splendour of the wicked and abhor the bed of the uncircumcised and of any alien. You know my necessity—that I abhor the sign of my proud position, which is upon my head on days when I appear in public. I abhor it like a filthy rag, and I do not wear it on the days when I am at leisure. And your servant has not eaten at Haman’s table, and I have not honoured the king’s feast or drunk the wine of libations. Your servant has had no joy since the day that I was brought here until now, except in you, O Lord God of Abraham. O God, whose might is over all, hear the voice of the despairing, and save us from the hands of evildoers. And save me from my fear!’

End of Addition C

Addition D

Esther Is Received by the King

On the third day, when she ended her prayer, she took off the garments in which she had worshipped, and arrayed herself in splendid attire. Then, majestically adorned, after invoking the aid of the all-seeing God and Saviour, she took two maids with her; on one she leaned gently for support, while the other followed, carrying her train. She was radiant with perfect beauty, and she looked happy, as if beloved, but her heart was frozen with fear. When she had gone through all the doors, she stood before the king. He was seated on his royal throne, clothed in the full array of his majesty, all covered with gold and precious stones. He was most terrifying. Lifting his face, flushed with splendour, he looked at her in fierce anger. The queen faltered, and turned pale and faint, and collapsed on the head of the maid who went in front of her. Then God changed the spirit of the king to gentleness, and in alarm he sprang from his throne and took her in his arms until she came to herself. He comforted her with soothing words, and said to her, ‘What is it, Esther? I am your husband. Take courage; You shall not die, for our law applies only to our subjects. Come near.’ Then he raised the golden sceptre and touched her neck with it; he embraced her, and said, ‘Speak to me.’ She said to him, ‘I saw you, my lord, like an angel of God, and my heart was shaken with fear at your glory. For you are wonderful, my lord, and your countenance is full of grace.’ And while she was speaking, she fainted and fell. Then the king was agitated, and all his servants tried to comfort her.

End of Addition D

and let both be given to one of the king’s honoured Friends, and let him robe the person whom the king loves and mount him on the horse, and let it be proclaimed through the open square of the city, saying, “Thus shall it be done to everyone whom the king honours.”’

Exhortation to Uprightness

Love righteousness, you rulers of the earth, think of the Lord in goodness and seek him with sincerity of heart;

Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones, and he watches over his elect.

There were some who pleased God and were loved by him, and while living among sinners were taken up.

Description of Wisdom

Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her.

The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction, and concern for instruction is love of her,

and love of her is the keeping of her laws, and giving heed to her laws is assurance of immortality,

I loved her more than health and beauty, and I chose to have her rather than light, because her radiance never ceases.

for God loves nothing so much as the person who lives with wisdom.

Solomon’s Love for Wisdom

I loved her and sought her from my youth; I desired to take her for my bride, and became enamoured of her beauty.

She glorifies her noble birth by living with God, and the Lord of all loves her.

And if anyone loves righteousness, her labours are virtues; for she teaches self-control and prudence, justice and courage; nothing in life is more profitable for mortals than these.

For you love all things that exist, and detest none of the things that you have made, for you would not have made anything if you had hated it.

You spare all things, for they are yours, O Lord, you who love the living.

Lovers of evil things and fit for such objects of hope are those who either make or desire or worship them.

so that your children, whom you loved, O Lord, might learn that it is not the production of crops that feeds humankind but that your word sustains those who trust in you.

The Prologue

Many great teachings have been given to us through the Law and the Prophets and the others that followed them, and for these we should praise Israel for instruction and wisdom. Now, those who read the scriptures must not only themselves understand them, but must also as lovers of learning be able through the spoken and written word to help the outsiders. So my grandfather Jesus, who had devoted himself especially to the reading of the Law and the Prophets and the other books of our ancestors, and had acquired considerable proficiency in them, was himself also led to write something pertaining to instruction and wisdom, so that by becoming familiar also with his book those who love learning might make even greater progress in living according to the law. You are invited therefore to read it with goodwill and attention, and to be indulgent in cases where, despite our diligent labour in translating, we may seem to have rendered some phrases imperfectly. For what was originally expressed in Hebrew does not have exactly the same sense when translated into another language. Not only this book, but even the Law itself, the Prophecies, and the rest of the books differ not a little when read in the original. When I came to Egypt in the thirty-eighth year of the reign of Euergetes and stayed for some time, I found opportunity for no little instruction. It seemed highly necessary that I should myself devote some diligence and labour to the translation of this book. During that time I have applied my skill day and night to complete and publish the book for those living abroad who wished to gain learning and are disposed to live according to the law.

In Praise of Wisdom

All wisdom is from the Lord, and with him it remains for ever.

upon all the living according to his gift; he lavished her upon those who love him.

Those who fear the Lord do not disobey his words, and those who love him keep his ways.

Those who fear the Lord seek to please him, and those who love him are filled with his law.

Humility

My child, perform your tasks with humility; then you will be loved by those whom God accepts.

A stubborn mind will fare badly at the end, and whoever loves danger will perish in it.

Be a father to orphans, and be like a husband to their mother; you will then be like a son of the Most High, and he will love you more than does your mother.

Whoever loves her loves life, and those who seek her from early morning are filled with joy.

Those who serve her minister to the Holy One; the Lord loves those who love her.

If you love to listen you will gain knowledge, and if you pay attention you will become wise.

Let your soul love intelligent slaves; do not withhold from them their freedom.

With all your might love your Maker, and do not neglect his ministers.

Do not hesitate to visit the sick, because for such deeds you will be loved.

Every creature loves its like, and every person a neighbour.

The Lord hates all abominations; such things are not loved by those who fear him.

A prostitute is regarded as spittle, and a married woman as a tower of death to her lovers.

Love your friend and keep faith with him; but if you betray his secrets, do not follow after him.

Concerning Children

He who loves his son will whip him often, so that he may rejoice at the way he turns out.

One who loves gold will not be justified; one who pursues money will be led astray by it.

The eyes of the Lord are on those who love him, a mighty shield and strong support, a shelter from scorching wind and a shade from noonday sun, a guard against stumbling and a help against falling.

Wine and music gladden the heart, but the love of friends is better than either.

In all that he did he gave thanks to the Holy One, the Most High, proclaiming his glory; he sang praise with all his heart, and he loved his Maker.

Your fame reached to far-off islands, and you were loved for your peaceful reign.

But the Lord will never give up his mercy, or cause any of his works to perish; he will never blot out the descendants of his chosen one, or destroy the family line of him who loved him. So he gave a remnant to Jacob, and to David a root from his own family.

Happy are those who saw you and were adorned with your love! For we also shall surely live.

for you saved me from destruction and rescued me in time of trouble. For this reason I thank you and praise you, and I bless the name of the Lord.

Hebrew adds:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to the God of praises, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to the guardian of Israel, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to him who formed all things, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to the redeemer of Israel, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to him who gathers the dispersed of Israel, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to him who rebuilt his city and his sanctuary, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to him who makes a horn to sprout for the house of David, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to him who has chosen the sons of Zadok to be priests, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to the shield of Abraham, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to the rock of Isaac, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to the mighty one of Jacob, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to him who has chosen Zion, for his steadfast love endures for ever; Give thanks to the King of the kings of kings, for his steadfast love endures for ever; He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his loyal ones. For the children of Israel, the people close to him. Praise the Lord!

He found the whole way to knowledge, and gave her to his servant Jacob and to Israel, whom he loved.

People take gold and make crowns for the heads of their gods, as they might for a girl who loves ornaments.

Daniel said, ‘You have remembered me, O God, and have not forsaken those who love you.’

Strike them down with the sword of those who love you, and let all who know your name praise you with hymns.’

as all ought to go who have the courage to refuse things that it is not right to taste, even for the natural love of life.

Razis Dies for His Country

A certain Razis, one of the elders of Jerusalem, was denounced to Nicanor as a man who loved his compatriots and was very well thought of and for his goodwill was called father of the Jews.

And Onias spoke, saying, ‘This is a man who loves the family of Israel and prays much for the people and the holy city—Jeremiah, the prophet of God.’

If men gather gold and silver or any other beautiful thing, and then see a woman lovely in appearance and beauty,

he faces lions, and he walks in darkness, and when he steals and robs and plunders, he brings it back to the woman he loves.

A man loves his wife more than his father or his mother.

And because you love the house of Israel, you promised that if we should have reverses, and tribulation should overtake us, you would listen to our petition when we come to this place and pray.

you loved him, and to him alone you revealed the end of the times, secretly by night.

For I did not wish to inquire about the ways above, but about those things that we daily experience: why Israel has been given over to the Gentiles in disgrace; why the people whom you loved has been given over to godless tribes, and the law of our ancestors has been brought to destruction and the written covenants no longer exist.

and from all the multitude of peoples you have taken for yourself one people; and to this people, whom you have loved, you have given the law that is approved by all.

Then I said, ‘Speak, my lord.’ And he said to me, ‘Are you greatly disturbed in mind over Israel? Or do you love him more than his Maker does?’

He said to me, ‘Just as you cannot do one of the things that were mentioned, so you cannot discover my judgement, or the goal of the love that I have promised to my people.’

Do not be angry with those who are deemed worse than wild animals, but love those who have always put their trust in your glory.

For you come far short of being able to love my creation more than I love it. But you have often compared yourself to the unrighteous. Never do so!

For now the Most High, seeing that you are sincerely grieved and profoundly distressed for her, has shown you the brilliance of her glory, and the loveliness of her beauty.

for you have oppressed the meek and injured the peaceable; you have hated those who tell the truth, and have loved liars; you have destroyed the homes of those who brought forth fruit, and have laid low the walls of those who did you no harm.

woe to you, miserable wretch! For you have made yourself like her; you have decked out your daughters for prostitution to please and glory in your lovers, who have always lusted after you.

You shall be weakened like a wretched woman who is beaten and wounded, so that you cannot receive your mighty lovers.

Thus, as soon as one adopts a way of life in accordance with the law, even though a lover of money, one is forced to act contrary to natural ways and to lend without interest to the needy and to cancel the debt when the seventh year arrives.

It is superior to love for one’s wife, so that one rebukes her when she breaks the law.

It takes precedence over love for children, so that one punishes them for misdeeds.

Since they had been educated by the same law and trained in the same virtues and brought up in right living, they loved one another all the more.

because they could make their brotherly love more fervent with the aid of their religion.

Furthermore, they encouraged them to face the torture, so that they not only despised their agonies, but also mastered the emotions of brotherly love.

Observe how complex is a mother’s love for her children, which draws everything towards an emotion felt in her inmost parts.

Even unreasoning animals, as well as human beings, have a sympathy and parental love for their offspring.

If they are not able to keep the intruder away, they do what they can to help their young by flying in circles around them in the anguish of love, warning them with their own calls.

She loved religion more, the religion that preserves them for eternal life according to God’s promise.

In what manner might I express the emotions of parents who love their children? We impress upon the character of a small child a wondrous likeness both of mind and of form. Especially is this true of mothers, who because of their birth pangs have a deeper sympathy towards their offspring than do the fathers.

The mother of the seven boys, more than any other mother, loved her children. In seven pregnancies she had implanted in herself tender love towards them,

For they were righteous and self-controlled and brave and magnanimous, and loved their brothers and their mother, so that they obeyed her even to death in keeping the ordinances.

Nevertheless, though so many factors influenced the mother to suffer with them out of love for her children, in the case of none of them were the various tortures strong enough to pervert her reason.

O sacred nature and affection of parental love, yearning of parents towards offspring, nurture and indomitable suffering by mothers!

But devout reason, giving her heart a man’s courage in the very midst of her emotions, strengthened her to disregard, for the time, her parental love.

For as in the council chamber of her own soul she saw mighty advocates—nature, family, parental love, and the rackings of her children—

The lions surrounding Daniel were not so savage, nor was the raging fiery furnace of Mishael so intensely hot, as was her innate parental love, inflamed as she saw her seven sons tortured in such varied ways.