GetPassageurn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.kingjames:_7urn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.kingjames:_7[ A Prologue made by an uncertain Author ] This Jesus was the son of Sirach , and grandchild to Jesus of the same name with him : this man therefore lived in the latter times , after the people had been led away captive , and called home a again , and almost after all the prophets . Now his grandfather Jesus , as he himself witnesseth , was a man of great diligence and wisdom among the Hebrews , who did not only gather the grave and short sentences of wise men , that had been before him , but himself also uttered some of his own , full of much understanding and wisdom . When as therefore the first Jesus died , leaving this book almost perfected , Sirach his son receiving it after him left it to his own son Jesus , who , having gotten it into his hands , compiled it all orderly into one volume , and called it Wisdom , intituling it both by his own name , his father's name , and his grandfather's ; alluring the hearer by the very name of Wisdom to have a greater love to the study of this book . It containeth therefore wise sayings , dark sentences , and parables , and certain particular ancient godly stories of men that pleased God ; also his prayer and song ; moreover , what benefits God had vouchsafed his people , and what plagues he had heaped upon their enemies . This Jesus did imitate Solomon , and was no less famous for wisdom and learning , both being indeed a man of great learning , and so reputed also . [ The Prologue of the Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach . ] Whereas many and great things have been delivered unto us by the law and the prophets , and by others that have followed their steps , for the which things Israel ought to be commended for learning and wisdom ; and whereof not only the readers must needs become skilful themselves , but also they that desire to learn be able to profit them which are without , both by speaking and writing : my grandfather Jesus , when he had much given himself to the reading of the law , and the prophets , and other books of our fathers , and had gotten therein good judgment , was drawn on also himself to write something pertaining to learning and wisdom ; to the intent that those which are desirous to learn , and are addicted to these things , might profit much more in living according to the law . Wherefore let me intreat you to read it with favour and attention , and to pardon us , wherein we may seem to come short of some words , which we have laboured to interpret . For the same things uttered in Hebrew , and translated into another tongue , have not the same force in them : and not only these things , but the law itself , and the prophets , and the rest of the books , have no small difference , when they are spoken in their own language . For in the eight and thirtieth year coming into Egypt , when Euergetes was king , and continuing there some time , I found a book of no small learning : therefore I thought it most necessary for me to bestow some diligence and travail to interpret it ; using great watchfulness and skill in that space to bring the book to an end , and set it forth for them also , which in a strange country are willing to learn , being prepared before in manners to live after the law .