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.

He will hide his words until the right moment, and the lips of many will tell of his good sense.

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.

when he says, “I have found rest, and now I shall enjoy my goods!” he does not know how much time will pass until he leaves them to others and dies.

for he lies in wait, turning good into evil, and to worthy actions he will attach blame.

If you do a kindness, know to whom you do it, and you will be thanked for your good deeds.

Do good to a godly man, and you will be repaid— if not by him, certainly by the Most High.

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

Do good to the humble, but do not give to the ungodly; hold back his bread, and do not give it to him, lest by means of it he subdue you; for you will receive twice as much evil for all the good which you do to him.

Whoever accumulates by depriving himself, accumulates for others; and others will live in luxury on his goods.

A fool will say, “I have no friend, and there is no gratitude for my good deeds; those who eat my bread speak unkindly.”

The Joy of a Good Wife

Happy is the husband of a good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.

A good wife is a great blessing; she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord.

On Guaranteeing Debts

A good man will be surety for his neighbor, but a man who has lost his sense of shame will fail him.

A man of cheerful and good heart will give heed to the food he eats.

and tell you, “Your way is good,” and then stand aloof to see what will happen to you.

He will serve among great men and appear before rulers; he will travel through the lands of foreign nations, for he tests the good and the evil among men.

“All things are the works of the Lord, for they are very good, and whatever he commands will be done in his time.”

The works of the Lord are all good, and he will supply every need in its hour.

And no one can say, “This is worse than that,” for all things will prove good in their season.

Injustice Will Not Prosper

All bribery and injustice will be blotted out, but good faith will stand for ever.