PROLOGUS:
Multorum nobis et magnorum per legem, et prophetas, aliosque qui secuti sunt illos, sapientia demonstrata est, in quibus oportet laudare Israël doctrinæ et sapientiæ causa, quia non solum ipsos loquentes necesse est esse peritos, sed etiam extraneos posse et dicentes et scribentes doctissimos fieri. Avus meus Jesus, postquam se amplius dedit ad diligentiam lectionis legis, et prophetarum, et aliorum librorum qui nobis a parentibus nostris traditi sunt, voluit et ipse scribere aliquid horum quæ ad doctrinam et sapientiam pertinent, ut desiderantes discere, et illorum periti facti, magis magisque attendant animo, et confirmentur ad legitimam vitam. Hortor itaque venire vos cum benevolentia, et attentiori studio lectionem facere, et veniam habere in illis, in quibus videmur, sequentes imaginem sapientiæ, deficere in verborum compositione. Nam deficiunt verba hebraica, quando fuerint translata ad alteram linguam: non autem solum hæc, sed et ipsa lex, et prophetæ, ceteraque a liorum librorum non parvam habent differentiam quando inter se dicuntur. Nam in octavo et trigesimo anno temporibus Ptolemæi Evergetis regis, postquam perveni in Ægyptum, et cum multum temporis ibi fuissem, inveni ibi libros relictos, non parvæ neque contemnendæ doctrinæ. Itaque bonum et necessarium putavi et ipse aliquam addere diligentiam et laborem interpretandi librum istum: et multa vigilia attuli doctrinam in spatio temporis, ad illa quæ ad finem ducunt, librum istum dare, et illis qui volunt animum intendere, et discere quemadmodum oporteat instituere mores, qui secundum legem Domini proposuerint vitam agere.

THE PROLOGUE:
The knowledge of many and great things hath been shewn us by the law, and the prophets, and others that have followed them: for which things Israel is to be commended for doctrine and wisdom, because not only they that speak must needs be skilful, but strangers also, both speaking and writing, may by their means become most learned. My grandfather Jesus, after he had much given himself to a diligent reading of the law, and the prophets, and other books, that were delivered to us from our fathers, had a mind also to write something himself, pertaining to doctrine and wisdom: that such as are desirous to learn, and are made knowing in these things, may be more and more attentive in mind, and be strengthened to live according to the law. I entreat you therefore to come with benevolence, and to read with attention, and to pardon us for those things wherein we may seem, while we follow the image of wisdom, to come short in the composition of words; for the Hebrew words have not the same force in them when translated into another tongue. And not only these, but the law also 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 Ptolemy Evergetes was king, and continuing there a long time, I found there books left, of no small nor contemptible learning. Therefore I thought it good, and necessary for me to bestow some diligence and labour to interpret this book; and with much watching and study in some space of time, I brought the book to an end, and set it forth for the service of them that are willing to apply their mind, and to learn how they ought to conduct themselves, who purpose to lead their life according to the law of the Lord.

PREFACE: Many are the important truths conveyed to us by the law, by the prophets and by those other writers who have followed them. Israel must be given credit for its own philosophical tradition, suited not only to instruct those who talk its language, but to reach, in spoken or written form, the outside world too, and bring it great enlightenment. No wonder if my own grandfather, Jesus, who had devoted himself to the careful study of the law, the prophets, and our other ancestral records, had a mind to put something in writing himself that should bear on this philosophical tradition, to claim the attention of eager students who had already mastered it, and to encourage their observance of the law. I must beg its readers to come well-disposed to their task, and to follow me closely, making allowances for me wherever I seem to have failed in the right marshalling of words, as I pass on wisdom at second hand. Hebrew words lose their force when they are translated into another language; moreover, when the Hebrews read out the law, the prophets, and the other books among themselves, they read them out in a greatly different form. It was in my thirty-eighth year, in the reign of Euergetes, that I went to Egypt and spent some time there. When I found writings preserved there which were of high doctrinal value, it seemed to me right and fitting that I, too, should be at some pains; I would set about translating this book. Learning I gave to the task and long labour, and so brought it to an end; and so I offer the book to all who are ready to apply their minds to it, and learn how a man must frame his conduct if he would live by the divine law.

Omnis sapientia a Domino Deo est: et cum illo fuit semper, et est ante ævum.

All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him, and is before all time.

All wisdom has one source; it dwelt with the Lord God before ever time began.

Arenam maris, et pluviæ guttas, et dies sæculi, quis dinumeravit? altitudinem cæli, et latitudinem terræ, et profundum abyssi, quis dimensus est?

Who hath numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of the world? Who hath measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss?

Sand thou mayst count, or the rain-drops, or the days of the world’s abiding; heaven-height thou mayst measure, or the wide earth, or the depth of the world beneath,

sapientiam Dei præcedentem omnia, quis investigavit?

Who hath searched out the wisdom of God that goeth before all things?

ere God’s wisdom thou canst trace to her origin, that was before all.

Prior omnium creata est sapientia, et intellectus prudentiæ ab ævo.

Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.

First she is of all created things; time never was when the riddle of thought went unread.

Fons sapientiæ verbum Dei in excelsis, et ingressus illius mandata æterna.

The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdom, and her ways are everlasting commandments.

(What is wisdom’s fount? God’s word above. What is her course? His eternal commandments. )

Radix sapientiæ cui revelata est? et astutias illius quis agnovit?

To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed, and who hath known her wise counsels?

Buried her roots beyond all search, wise her counsels beyond all knowing;

disciplina sapientiæ cui revelata est et manifestata? et multiplicationem ingressus illius quis intellexit?

To whom hath the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made manifest? and who hath understood the multiplicity of her steps?

too high her teaching to be plainly revealed, too manifold her movements to be understood.

Unus est altissimus, Creator omnipotens, et rex potens et metuendus nimis, sedens super thronum illius, et dominans Deus.

There is one most high Creator Almighty, and a powerful king, and greatly to be feared, who sitteth upon his throne, and is the God of dominion.

There is but one God, high creator of all things; sitting on his throne to govern us, a great king, worthy of all dread;

Ipse creavit illam in Spiritu Sancto, et vidit, et dinumeravit, et mensus est:

He created her in the Holy Ghost, and saw her, and numbered her, and measured her.

he it was that created her, through his holy Spirit. His eye took in the whole range of her being;

et effudit illam super omnia opera sua, et super omnem carnem, secundum datum suum, et præbuit illam diligentibus se.

And he poured her out upon all his works, and upon all flesh according to his gift, and hath given her to them that love him.

and he has poured her out upon all his creation, upon all living things, upon all the souls that love him, in the measure of his gift to each.

Timor Domini gloria, et gloriatio, et lætitia, et corona exsultationis.

The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of joy.

To fear the Lord is man’s pride and boast, is joy, is a prize proudly worn;

Timor Domini delectabit cor, et dabit lætitiam, et gaudium, et longitudinem dierum.

The fear of the Lord shall delight the heart, and shall give joy, and gladness, and length of days.

comfort it brings to the heart, happiness and content and a long life bestows;

Timenti Dominum bene erit in extremis, et in die defunctionis suæ benedicetur.

With him that feareth the Lord, it shall go well in the latter end, and in the day of his death he shall be blessed.

well it is, at his last hour, for the man who fears the Lord; his day of death shall be a day of blessing.

Dilectio Dei honorabilis sapientia:

The love of God is honourable wisdom.

Love of God is wisdom worth the having;

quibus autem apparuerit in visu diligunt eam in visione, et in agnitione magnalium suorum.

And they to whom she shall shew herself love her by the sight, and by the knowledge of her great works.

welcome the sight when it shews itself, when it gives proof of its wondrous power.

Initium sapientiæ timor Domini: et cum fidelibus in vulva concreatus est: cum electis feminis graditur, et cum justis et fidelibus agnoscitur.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and was created with the faithful in the womb, it walketh with chosen women, and is known with the just and faithful.

Wouldst thou be wise, the first step is fear of the Lord; to his chosen servants, a gift connatural from the womb; it goes with holy motherhood, and where his true worshippers are, shews manifest.

Timor Domini scientiæ religiositas:

The fear of the Lord is the religiousness of knowledge.

The fear of the Lord lends wisdom that piety which is hers;

religiositas custodiet et justificabit cor; jucunditatem atque gaudium dabit.

Religiousness shall keep and justify the heart, it shall give joy and gladness.

such piety as shall keep the heart safe and make it acceptable, bring it joy and content.

Timenti Dominum bene erit, et in diebus consummationis illius benedicetur.

It shall go well with him that feareth the Lord, and in the days of his end he shall be blessed.

Well it shall be indeed for the man who fears the Lord; at his last end he shall win blessing.

Plenitudo sapientiæ est timere Deum, et plenitudo a fructibus illius.

To fear God is the fulness of wisdom, and fulness is from the fruits thereof.

The fear of the Lord is wisdom’s fulfilment, yields the deep draught that satisfies;

Omnem domum illius implebit a generationibus, et receptacula a thesauris illius.

She shall fill all her house with her increase, and the storehouses with her treasures.

never a nook or cranny in thy house but shall be filled with the store of its harvesting.

Corona sapientiæ timor Domini, replens pacem et salutis fructum:

The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, filling up peace and the fruit of salvation:

The fear of the Lord is wisdom’s crown; with this, peace and health are thine to enjoy;

et vidit, et dinumeravit eam: utraque autem sunt dona Dei.

And it hath seen, and numbered her: but both are the gifts of God.

this fear itself is God’s gift, no less than the wisdom which is counted out under his eye.

Scientiam et intellectum prudentiæ sapientia compartietur, et gloriam tenentium se exaltat.

Wisdom shall distribute knowledge, and understanding of prudence: and exalteth the glory of them that hold her.

Wisdom it is that imparts to us all our knowledge, all our powers of discernment; hold her fast, and she will set thee on a pinnacle of renown;

Radix sapientiæ est timere Dominum, et rami illius longævi.

The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord: and the branches thereof are long-lived.

root of her is fear of the Lord, and long life the fruit of her.

In thesauris sapientiæ intellectus et scientiæ religiositas: execratio autem peccatoribus sapientia.

In the treasures of wisdom is understanding, and religiousness of knowledge: but to sinners wisdom is an abomination.

True insight wisdom has in her treasure-house, and the piety that comes of knowledge; no wonder if sinners hate the name of her.

Timor Domini expellit peccatum:

The fear of the Lord driveth out sin:

The fear of the Lord drives out sin;

nam qui sine timore est non poterit justificari: iracundia enim animositatis illius subversio illius est.

For he that is without fear, cannot be justified: for the wrath of his high spirits is his ruin.

soul that feels no fear shall find no pardon, its own wild mood overbalances it.

Usque in tempus sustinebit patiens, et postea redditio jucunditatis.

A patient man shall bear for a time, and afterwards joy shall be restored to him.

Patience bides her time, and with time, content comes back to her;

Bonus sensus usque in tempus abscondet verba illius, et labia multorum enarrabunt sensum illius.

A good understanding will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.

praise shall be upon every lip for the wise thought that checked, for a while, her utterance.

In thesauris sapientiæ significatio disciplinæ:

In the treasures of wisdom is the signification of discipline:

Hidden in wisdom’s treasure-house is the secret of all discernment;

execratio autem peccatori cultura Dei.

But the worship of God is an abomination to a sinner.

and still sinners hate the name of piety.

Fili, concupiscens sapientiam, conserva justitiam, et Deus præbebit illam tibi.

Son, if thou desire wisdom, keep justice, and God will give her to thee.

My son, if on wisdom thy heart is set, keep the commandments, and God will grant thy wish;

Sapientia enim et disciplina timor Domini: et quod beneplacitum est illi,

For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline: and that which is agreeable to him,

fear of the Lord is true wisdom, true learning, and his will

fides et mansuetudo, et adimplebit thesauros illius.

Is faith, and meekness: and he will fill up his treasures.

is to see thee loyal and patient; thou shalt have no empty coffers then.

Ne sis incredibilis timori Domini, et ne accesseris ad illum duplici corde.

Be not incredulous to the fear of the Lord: and come not to him with a double heart.

Let not thy fear of the Lord be overcast with doubt; never come to him with a heart that hesitates.

Ne fueris hypocrita in conspectu hominum, et non scandalizeris in labiis tuis.

Be not a hypocrite in the sight of men, and let not thy lips be a stumblingblock to thee.

Do not play false in thy dealings with men, nor suffer thy own words to ensnare thee.

Attende in illis, ne forte cadas, et adducas animæ tuæ inhonorationem:

Watch over them, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul,

Watch those words well, or they may trip thee up; thou wilt have compassed thy own disgrace,

et revelet Deus absconsa tua, et in medio synagogæ elidat te:

And God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation.

if God should reveal thy secret thoughts at last; wouldst thou be thrown down, in full sight of all thy neighbours assembled,

quoniam accessisti maligne ad Dominum, et cor tuum plenum est dolo et fallacia.

Because thou camest to the Lord wickedly, and thy heart is full of guile and deceit.

a heart that came to meet the Lord grudgingly, full all the while of treachery and deceit?