Sirach Prologue

Translation: NRSVUE

1 Many great teachings have been given to us through the Law and the Prophets 2 and the others that followed them, 3 and for these we should praise Israel for instruction and wisdom. 4 Now those who read them must not only themselves understand them 5 but must also as lovers of learning be able through 6 both speaking and writing to help the outsiders.

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Date: March 24 2025

7 So my grandfather Jesus, who had devoted himself especially

8 to the reading of the Law 9 and the Prophets 10 and the other books of our ancestors 11 and had acquired considerable proficiency in them, 12 was himself also led to write something pertaining to instruction and wisdom, 13 so that by becoming familiar also with his book those who love learning 14 might make even greater progress in living according to the law.

15 You are invited, therefore, 17 to read it 16 with goodwill and attention 18 and to be indulgent 19 in cases where we may seem 20 to have rendered some phrases imperfectly, despite our diligent labor in translating. 21–22 For what was originally expressed in Hebrew does not have exactly the same effect when translated into another language. 23 Not only this book, 24 but even the Law itself, the Prophets, 25 and the rest of the books 26 differ not a little when read in the original.

27 In the thirty-eighth year of the reign of Euergetes, 28 when I came to Egypt and stayed for some time, 29 I found a copy affording no little instruction. 30 It seemed highly necessary that I should myself devote some diligence and labor to the translation of this book. 31–32 During that time I have applied my skill day and night 33 to complete and publish the book 34 for those living abroad who wish to gain learning and are 35 preparing 36 to live according to the law.

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