The Prologue

Whereas many great teachings have been given to us through the law and the prophets and the others that followed them, on account of which we should praise Israel for instruction and wisdom; and since it is necessary not only that the readers themselves should acquire understanding but also that those who love learning should be able to help the outsiders by both speaking and writing, my grandfather Jesus, after devoting himself especially to the reading of the law and the prophets and the other books of our fathers, and after acquiring considerable proficiency in them, was himself also led to write something pertaining to instruction and wisdom, in order that, by becoming conversant with this also, those who love learning should make even greater progress in living according to the law. You are urged therefore to read with good will and attention, and to be indulgent in cases where, despite out diligent labor 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 work, but even the law itself, the prophecies, and the rest of the books differ not a little as originally expressed. When I came to Egypt in the thirty-eighth year of the reign of Eu-er′getes and stayed for some time, I found opportunity for no little instruction. It seemed highly necessary that I should myself devote some pains and labor to the translation of the following book, using in that period of time great watchfulness and skill in order to complete and publish the book for those living abroad who wished to gain learning, being prepared in character to live according to the law.

In Praise of Wisdom

All wisdom comes from the Lord and is with him for ever.

Do not exalt yourself lest you fall, and thus bring dishonor upon yourself. The Lord will reveal your secrets and cast you down in the midst of the congregation, because you did not come in the fear of the Lord, and your heart was full of deceit.

Duties toward God

My son, if you come forward to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for temptation.

Honor your father by word and deed, that a blessing from him may come upon you.

For a man’s glory comes from honoring his father, and it is a disgrace for children not to respect their mother.

Then she will come straight back to him and gladden him, and will reveal her secrets to him.

Glory and dishonor come from speaking, and a man’s tongue is his downfall.

Do not be called a slanderer, and do not lie in ambush with your tongue; for shame comes to the thief, and severe condemnation to the double-tongued.

Come to her like one who plows and sows, and wait for her good harvest. For in her service you will toil a little while, and soon you will eat of her produce.

Come to her with all your soul, and keep her ways with all your might.

Good things and bad, life and death, poverty and wealth, come from the Lord.

From a spark of fire come many burning coals, and a sinner lies in wait to shed blood.

No good will come to the man who persists in evil or to him who does not give alms.

She will come to meet him like a mother, and like the wife of his youth she will welcome him.

for some one has heard you and watched you, and when the time comes he will hate you.

The prayer of a poor man goes from his lips to the ears of God, and his judgment comes speedily.

“Come to me, you who desire me, and eat your fill of my produce.

Three Depressing Things

At two things my heart is grieved, and because of a third anger comes over me: a warrior in want through poverty, and intelligent men who are treated contemptuously; a man who turns back from righteousness to sin— the Lord will prepare him for the sword!

The Evil Tongue

If you blow on a spark, it will glow; if you spit on it, it will be put out; and both come out of your mouth.

“Come here, stranger, prepare the table, and if you have anything at hand, let me have it to eat.”

“Give place, stranger, to an honored person; my brother has come to stay with me; I need my house.”

Many have come to ruin because of gold, and their destruction has met them face to face.

for healing comes from the Most High, and he will receive a gift from the king.

they will rejoice in his commands, and be made ready on earth for their service, and when their times come they will not transgress his word.

Human Wretchedness

Much labor was created for every man, and a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day they come forth from their mother’s womb till the day they return to the mother of all.