Ecclesiasticus, or the Wisdom of Jesus Son of
1Many great teachings have been given to us through the Law and the Prophets 2and the othersa that followed them, 3and for these we should praise Israel for instruction and wisdom. 4Now those who read them must not only themselves understand them 5but must also as lovers of learning be able through 6both speaking and writing to help the outsiders. 7So my grandfather Jesus, who had devoted himself especially 8to the reading of the Law 9and the Prophets 10and the other books of our ancestors 11and had acquired considerable proficiency in them, 12was himself also led to write something pertaining to instruction and wisdom, 13so that by becoming familiar also with his bookb those who love learning 14might make even greater progress in living according to the law.
15You are invited, therefore, 17to read it 16with goodwill and attention 18and to be indulgent 19in cases where we may seem 20to have rendered some phrases imperfectly, despite our diligent labor in translating. 21–22For what was originally expressed in Hebrew does not have exactly the same effect when translated into another language. 23Not only this book, 24but even the Law itself, the Prophets,c 25and the rest of the books 26differ not a little when read in the original.
27In the thirty-eighth year of the reign of Euergetes, 28when I came to Egypt and stayed for some time, 29I found a copy affordingd no little instruction. 30It seemed highly necessary that I should myself devote some diligence and labor to the translation of this book. 31–32During that time I have applied my skill day and night 33to complete and publish the book 34for those living abroad who wish to gain learning and are 35preparing 36to live according to the law.*