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 them must not only themselves understand them but must also as lovers of learning be able through both speaking and writing 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 we may seem to have rendered some phrases imperfectly, despite our diligent labor in translating. For what was originally expressed in Hebrew does not have exactly the same effect when translated into another language. Not only this book, but even the Law itself, the Prophets, and the rest of the books differ not a little when read in the original. In the thirty-eighth year of the reign of Euergetes, when I came to Egypt and stayed for some time, I found a copy affording no little instruction. It seemed highly necessary that I should myself devote some diligence and labor 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 wish to gain learning and are preparing to live according to the law.

In Praise of Wisdom

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

Set your heart right and be steadfast, and do not be impetuous in time of calamity.

Accept whatever befalls you, and in times of humiliation be patient.

For the Lord is compassionate and merciful; he forgives sins and saves in time of distress.

Watch for the opportune time, and beware of evil, and do not be ashamed to be yourself.

Do not let your hand be stretched out to receive and closed when it is time to give back.

Do not delay to turn back to the Lord, and do not postpone it from day to day, for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will come forth, and at the time of punishment you will perish.

For there are friends who are such when it suits them, but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.

And there are friends who are companions at the table, but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.

Reflect on the statutes of the Lord, and meditate at all times on his commandments. It is he who will give insight to your mind, and your desire for wisdom will be granted.

The government of the earth is in the hand of the Lord, and over it he will raise up the right leader for the time.

when he says, “I have found rest, and now I shall feast on my goods!” he does not realize how time passes by; he will leave them to others and will die.

They will embarrass you with their delicacies, until they have drained you two or three times, and finally they will laugh at you. Should they see you afterwards, they will pass you by and shake their heads at you.

Before judgment comes, examine yourself, and at the time of scrutiny you will find forgiveness.

In the time of plenty think of the time of hunger; in days of wealth think of poverty and need.

for someone may have heard you and watched you and in time will hate you.

Some buy much for little but pay for it seven times over.

A proverb from a fool’s lips will be rejected, for he does not tell it at the proper time.

Like music in time of mourning is ill-timed conversation, but a thrashing and discipline are at all times wisdom.

Gain the trust of your neighbor in his poverty, so that you may rejoice with him in his prosperity. Stand by him in time of distress, so that you may share with him in his inheritance.

His fear is confined to human eyes, and he does not realize that the eyes of the Lord are ten thousand times brighter than the sun; they look upon every aspect of human behavior and see into hidden corners.

It becomes full, like the Pishon, with wisdom and like the Tigris at the time of the spring harvest.

It fills up, like the Euphrates, with understanding, and like the Jordan at harvest time.

It pours forth instruction like the Nile, like the Gihon at the time of vintage.

Whether rich or poor, his heart is content, and at all times his face is cheerful.