(ECCLESIASTICUS) WISDOM OF SIRACH CHAPTER 1 - 8

THE WISDOM OF SIRACH

Despite the Greekness of this book I see
The glimpses of eternal prophecy,
The hidden sound of the Semitic store,
The name of fair Muhammad at the door.
I’m justified by this because the show
Says that the book original did glow
In Hebrew syllables, and so insight
Behind the Greek is not darkness but light.
Despite the worldly wisdom in the text,
It is also a guide to the perplexed
Who love the law of Moses and the way
That Enoch walked in glory on a day.
And even Nehemiah here holds sway,
A righteous figure in Scripture annexed.

Most scholars think this book appeared
In Hebrew two centuries steered
Before the common era drawn.
It was translated into Greek
Sometime after the year to seek
One thirty-two before the peak
Of common era. Nowadays
The book is found in Hebrew maze,
Which I’ve consulted rarely but
Translated from the Greek in glut,
Though reading also RSV
As well as King James on the spree
And Bible of Jerusalem,
Which is, I think, a treasured gem.

THE PROLOGUE BY THE GREEK TRANSLATOR

1 Whereas many great teachings come
To us through law and prophets’ sum
And those who followed them, for which
We should praise Israel for the pitch
Of her instruction and wisdom,
2 And since it’s necessary not
Only that readers should be taught
But also those who love the word
Should be availed with their heart stirred
To help the strangers both by tongue
And writing for both old and young,
3 My grandfather Jesus, who gave
Himself to reading the law’s wave
And prophets and the other books
Of our ancestors in their nooks,
And so becoming adept there,
Was himself led to write a share
Of teaching and of wisdom fine,
4 So that by his work at the vine
Those who love learning should make more
Progress in living by law’s score.
5 I urge you therefore to read well
And with attention to the spell,
And be indulgent where we might,
Despite out diligence in plight
To translate everything here right,
We may have erred by day or night.
6 For what was done in Hebrew dress
Does not have exactly address
When turned in other language mess.
Not just this work but even law,
The prophecies turned out in claw
Vary greatly from what in awe
Was written by original.
7 When I came to Egypt the year
Thirty-eight of the reign in fear
Of Euergetes and stayed there
For some time, I found a good chance
For quite a lot of study’s dance.
It seemed my job to spend some time
And labour at this work in rhyme
To translate it as follows here,
8 Observing then, it would appear,
Great watchfulness and skill to make
And publish this book for the sake
Of those who live abroad and wish
To gain learning prepared in dish
To live according to law’s swish.

SIRACH 1

1 All wisdom comes from YHWH and is
With him for ever, all is His.
2 The sand of the sea, drops of rain,
Eternal days, count them in vain.
3 The height of heaven, the breadth of earth,
Abyss and wisdom, search their worth.
4 Wisdom was made before all things,
Eternal prudence before kings.
5 6 The root of wisdom, when revealed?
Her deep devices, who’s unsealed?
7 8 There is One who is wise and feared,
Sitting on His throne. 9 It appeared
YHWH Himself has all wisdom made,
He saw her then and so He stayed,
Apportioned her, and poured her out
On all his works. 10 She dwells no doubt
With all flesh measured by His gift,
Supplied to those who love him. 11 Lift
His praises, for the fear of YHWH
Is glory and an exultation,
Gladness and crown of jubilation.

Awareness of the divine “I” revealed
Is wisdom made eternally concealed
In all creation, sand of sea, and drops
Of rain, day of eternity that stops
Nowhere, the heavenly heights, wisdom’s abyss,
In all creation lost, concealed to miss.
Her root goes unrevealed, device unknown,
For there is only One upon the throne
Of all the universe, and He it was
Who hid wisdom in earth and all its laws.
But there the hidden treasure may be found,
Beloved, in You-made I-ness and the sound
Of Your name raised in gladness and in praise
Eternity is hidden in life’s days.

12 The fear of YHWH delights the heart,
And gives gladness and joy and part
In life eternal. 13 With him who
Fears YHWH it will go well to end,
At death he will be blessed unkenned.
14 To fear YHWH is wisdom’s beginning,
She is created for their winning
With the faithful in the womb. 15 She
Made among men eternally
Her foundation, and among their
Descendants she’ll be trusted fair.
16 To fear YHWH is wisdom’s full measure,
She satisfies men with her treasure
Of fruits, 17 she fills their whole house with
Things of Muhammad, further with
Her produce she fills their storehouses.
18 The fear of YHWH indeed arouses
The crown of wisdom, making peace [Islam]
And perfect health grow and increase.

What things of Muhammad, Beloved, have You
Bestowed upon the human pack and crew?
Wisdom’s full measure, and the fear of YHWH,
Treasures of fruits, dates chewed and lovingly
Placed on the infant’s tongue, and droughts of tea
Made from the rare herbs of theophany?
Well-being in perfection, peace to all
Who find the crown of wisdom, know its call,
These are the things of Muhammad produced
In delights to the heart, in grapes well juiced,
Divided into forty and set out
In silver goblets from a golden spout.
Meet me, Beloved, at Muhammad’s guest house
To sip the nectar and make drunk the nous.

19 He saw her and apportioned her,
He rained down knowledge upon her,
Discerning comprehension, and
He exalted the glorious hand
Of those who held her fast. 20 To fear
YHWH’s the root when wisdom appear,
And her branches are length of days.
21 22 Unrighteous anger in one’s ways
Cannot be justified, for man’s
Anger tips the scale to his blight.
23 A patient man endures until
The time is ripe, and then joy will
Burst forth for him. 24 He’ll hide his right
Words until preferred moment, and
Many lips praise his self-command.
25 In wisdom’s treasuries there are
Choice proverbs, but godliness’ star
Is a sinner’s abomination.
26 If you want wisdom’s elevation,
Keep the commandments, and YHWH will
Supply it you. 27 Fear of YHWH’s still
Wisdom and instruction, and He
Joys in faith and humility.
28 Don’t disobey the fear of YHWH,
Don’t approach Him with mind in two.
29 Be not a hypocrite in sight
Of men, and keep watch recondite
Over your lips. 30 Do not exalt
Yourself lest you fall, and bring fault
Dishonourable upon your head.
YHWH will reveal your secrets dread
And cast you down in the midst of
The congregation, because you
Did not come in the fear of YHWH,
Heart full of deceit gone above.

The counsel brave and secret of this book
Is how to find fair wisdom, where to look.
The secret is one that brings sorrow to
The mind of humankind for what they do.
To find wisdom does not require the search
Of expedition to the golden perch,
Nor years experimental in the pay
Of intellect and method gone astray.
Beloved, You grant Your wisdom freely on
The soul that keeps the Decalogue from dawn
Till sleep engage the heart and mind and hand
And show the way into eternal land.
I grasp the brave commandments and I find
All wisdom spread before my wondering mind.

SIRACH 2

1 My son, if you come forth to serve
YHWH, be prepared then not to swerve
Before temptation. 2 Set your heart
Right and be steadfast, do your part
Timely before calamity.
3 Cleave to Him and do not depart,
That you may be honoured at end
Of life. 4 Accept what He may send
Upon you, and in changes be
Patient in your humility.
5 For gold is tested in the fire,
And worthy men on meekness’ byre.
6 Trust in Him, and He will help you,
Make your ways straight, and hope in YHWH.
7 You who fear YHWH, wait for His grace,
Turn not aside, fall in disgrace.

The two great principles that Sirach sings
Are things rejected by both pegs and kings.
Such people think they can serve You and still
Fulfill each human wish and lust to kill.
Such people think Your service does not take
Humility, but rather a large stake
In self-esteem. That’s why I think the wake
Of Christian church and Jewish synagogue
Joins with the mosque in the faith of a frog.
Let me, Beloved, trust You and when You speak
On Sinai, let me find the truth I seek
And come to obey Your word quickly while
Humility comes in to make me smile.
All other faiths, Beloved, are up the creek.

8 You who fear YHWH, trust in Him, and
Your reward will not fail your hand,
9 You who fear YHWH, hope for good things,
For joy eternal and the rings
Of mercy. 10 Consider the old
Time in their generations told
And see: whoever trusted in
YHWH and was put in shameful bin?
Or whoever persevered in
The fear of YHWH and was forsaken?
Or whoever called Him to waken
And was overlooked? 11 For YHWH is
Compassionate, merciful, His
Forgiveness of sin’s great, He saves
In time of affliction’s sore glaives.
12 Woe to timid hearts and to slack
Hands, and to the sinner whose track
Goes along two ways! 13 Woe to faint
Of heart, who have not trust’s restraint!
Therefore they will not find refuge.
14 Woe to you who have lost like stooge
Your perseverence! What will you
Do when YHWH comes to punish you?
15 Those who fear YHWH’ll not disobey
His words, and those who love Him true
Will keep His ways. 16 Those who fear YHWH
Will seek His approval each day,
And those who love Him will be filled
With the law. 17 Those who are instilled
With fear of YHWH prepare their hearts,
And humble themselves at His smarts.
18 Let’s fall into the hands of YHWH,
But not into the hands of men,
For as His majesty is true,
So too is His mercy again.

There have been people since the time Sirach
Was writing who found that You turned Your back
Despite their vital trust that You would bring
The good from evil, and the balm from sting.
The Christ died on a cross or humble tree,
And Jeremiah was sawed cleverly,
And both were sure their lives conformed in all
They did to Your commandments under pall.
Poor Husseyn and his near four score were free
Of hope and life, despite how faithfully
They honoured You and obeyed every word
That You spoke on the mount they overheard.
Beloved, I take obedience in hand,
But do not trust You in this pagan land.

SIRACH 3

1 Listen to me, your father, O
Children, act accordingly so
That you may be kept in safety.
2 For YHWH honoured the fatherly
Above the children, He confirmed
The right of the mother who yearned
Over her sons. 3 The one who does
Honour to his father that was
Atones for sins, 4 who glorifies
His mother is like one who buys
Up treasure. 5 Whoever honours
His father will be glad by fers,
His own offspring, and when he prays
He will be heard in what he says.
6 Whoever glorifies his father
Will have long life, who obeys rather
YHWH will refresh his mother, 7 he
Will serve his parents in his fee
As his masters. 8 Honour your father
By word and deed, so that a blessing
From him may come on you addressing.

The Christ also spoke of this truth when he
Condemned the folk of his day for the spree
Of leaving parents unfed with excuse
That korban, that is, sacrifice in use
Relieved them of the spell. So many still
Pretend that the atonement on the sill
Of Calvary is death enough to spill
The punishment for sins condemned by You.
But Sirach knows that no atonement’s true
That makes the human sacrifice in view.
Rather to honour father and his wife
Atones for sins here in this earthly life.
Beloved, let my sins be atoned alone
By Your grace and my father’s happy tone.

9 For a father’s blessing makes strong
The houses of the children’s song,
But a mother’s curse uproots their
Foundations and it spoils their share.
10 Do not glorify yourself by
Dishonouring your father’s pie,
For your father’s dishonour is
No glory to you, lacking his.
11 For a man’s glory comes from this:
Honouring his father for bliss,
And it’s a disgrace for children
Not to respect their mother then.
12 O son, help your father in his
Old age, and do not grieve his fizz
As long as he lives, 13 even if
He’s lacking in discernment’s whiff,
Show him forbearance, in your strength
Do not despise him then at length.
14 For kindness to a father will
Not be forgotten in a chill,
And against your sins it will be
Credited to you and your fee,
15 In the day of affliction it
Will be remembered to your fit
And in your favour, as frost in
Fair weather, it will melt your sin.
16 Who forsakes his father is like
A blasphemer before the strike,
And who angers his mother’s cursed
By YHWH and held to be the worst.

My fame is not a sure thing in this world,
And I have not experienced unfurled
Acclaim and glory yet, despite the pearled
Way I have brought a contribution set.
My mark upon the slate of human board
Remains a scratch or two among the shored.
And now as I come near the end of cord
Of silver, I look for my honour met.
Beloved, I know the rule of faith and tower,
The generations of the church and power,
And find there’s only one condition where
The soul is refined from its coil and care:
And that is honour given by the son
And daughter to their parents on the run.

17 My son, perform your tasks in meekness,
Then you will be loved in your weakness
By those whom Ælohim accepts.
18 The greater you are in adepts,
The more you must humble yourself,
So you will find favour on shelf
In the sight of YHWH. 19 20 For YHWH’s great
In might, and so the humble’s state
Glorifies Him. 21 Seek not the rate
Too hard for you, investigate
Not what is beyond your own power.
22 Reflect upon what in the hour
Has been assigned to you, for you
Do not need what is hidden too.
23 Do not meddle in what’s beyond
Your tasks, for matters to respond,
Too great for human knowledge are
Shown to you as you reach the bar.
24 For their hasty judgment has led
Many astray, wrong views afar
Have caused their thoughts to slip instead.

The son of Sirach does not seem to know
That self-esteem’s today the way to go,
And those who are too humble in the glow
Are shunted fast aside because they lack
The great ability honoured in stack,
Called leadership, but what is in truth just
A selfish disregard for others’ trust.
When I was growing up, teachers began
To emphasize the wonders of the plan
That leadership was a and o in can.
Results are clear today for those who look
At how the world is muddying the brook.
I lead myself successful in my nook.

Beloved, I do not seek the knowledge of
Things beyond my small mind to push and shove.
I do not understand the Trinities,
I do not fathom grace that needs the fees
Of human sacrifices on a cross.
I count all such things heathen and a loss.
I do not seek to understand the great
Creeds of the Christian church set up in state.
Beloved, Your simple law set out in ten
Is barely known and within human ken,
And so I take that only and I wait
Increase of knowledge while I contemplate
The wonders of those things I understand
Within Your law and by Your guiding hand.

25 26 A stubborn mind will in the end
Be afflicted by foe and friend,
And who loves danger perishes.
27 A stubborn mind once burdened is
By troubles, and the sinner will
Heap sin upon sin like a hill.
28 Affliction of the proud has no
Healing, for wicked plants in tow
Have taken root in him. 29 The mind
Of the intelligent man’s kind
Will ponder parable, and ear
Attentive is the wise man’s peer.
30 Water extinguishes a fire
Upblazing, so alms never tire
Of atoning for a sin’s ire.
31 Whoever requites favours gives
Thought to the future life he lives,
At the moment when he shall fall
He’ll find support beside the wall.

How many wicked plants appear in tow
Of proud men and proud women on the go!
I see them sitting in the halls of state,
I see them in their companies with great
Profits around the globe, and still deride
Such people who pretend success in pride.
Success is keeping Your commandments well.
But everywhere I look under the spell,
I find that Trinities replace Your face,
And idols dress in hypocritic grace,
And Sabbath is a thing thrown underfoot
By every worker and boss on the root.
Their fathers and their mothers too must earn
Their respect, while no consciences here burn.

SIRACH 4

1 My son, deprive not the poor of
His living, do not keep above
Their needy eyes waiting. 2 Do not
Grieve one who is with hunger taught,
Nor anger a man in his want.
3 Do not add troubles to the font
Of angry mind, nor delay gift
To a beggar. 4 Don’t fail to lift
Afflicted suppliants, nor turn
Your face away from poor and spurn.
5 Do not avert your eye away
From the needy, nor give a stray
Man a reason to curse you, 6 for
If in bitterness of his soul
He calls down on you curse and more,
His Maker will grant him his goal.

Beloved, I demand that You grant my plea
Of curses on every man faithfully
Who has pushed me aside from right and due.
I demand my right on the wicked crew.
I have not perpetrated evil here,
Nor trampled on another causing tear,
But I can hardly leave my house without
The careless and the blameful sort of lout
Coming to thrust his evil on my own.
Beloved, I now demand return on loan.
Drop all Your providence and hear my prayer
And then rise up to take the world in care.
Auschwitz was an experiment to see
What folk would take. But I protest freely.

7 Make yourself beloved in the group,
Bow your head low and even stoop
To a great man. 8 Incline your ear
To the poor, and don’t make him fear
When you answer in peace and clear.

Relations with the sons of men are like
Taming the shy of animals on bike
On mountain trails while shouting to a friend.
It takes immense skill and a natural bend.
With patience one can get a squirrel to take
A peanut from the hand. Another stake
Is taming human hearts to feel no fear
Before the innocent without a tear.
To keep the human heart from trembling’s such
A challenge, that most do not waste the touch.
It’s quite another thing seducing all
With rhetoric and hypocritic call.
The human canailles rush to take the bait,
As long as hunter is a wicked rate.

9 Save the oppressed and wronged from hand
Of the wrongdoer in the land,
And don’t be fainthearted in judging
A case. 10 Be like father ungrudging
To orphans, and their mothers’ face
Stand before them in husband’s place.
Then you shall be like a son of
The Most High, and he’ll surely love
You more than does your mother’s race.
11 Wisdom exalts her sons to give
Help to those who seek her to live.
12 Whoever loves her loves his life,
And those who seek her without strife
And early will be filled with joy.
13 Whoever holds her fast’s employ
Will obtain glory, and YHWH will
Bless the place she enters to fill.
14 Those who serve her will minister
To the Holy One, YHWH loves fer
Who loves her. 15 He who obeys her
Will judge nations, and whoever
Obeys her will live safe and sure.
16 If he has faith in her he will
Obtain her, and his children will
Remain in possession of her.

Indeed, to save the oppressed and the wronged
And provide justice to fainthearted pronged
Is like to make a man like the son of
The Most High, if the man You claimed to love
Is Your son, when he healed the pushed for shove.
But son of Sirach fails to mention here
That such activities of time and gear
Are likely to result in crucifixion
After a night trial and a rigged conviction.
Beloved, I’ve saved a few in their distress,
And I’ve been saved a time or two, I guess,
But honour’s the last thing to come about
For acting in the model of the stout
And brave in morals. I’m just pointing out
The dangers that await the knight to bless.

17 For at first she will walk with him
On crooked paths, and she will trim
Fear and cowardice upon him,
And will torment him by her hand
Until she trusts him in the land,
And she will test him with her laws.
18 Then she will come straight back from claws
To him and gladden him, and will
Reveal her secrets to his fill.
19 If he goes astray she’ll forsake
Him, and hand him over to rake.
20 Observe the right time, and beware
Of evil, and do not bring share
Of shame on yourself. 21 For there’s shame
Which brings sin, and there is a shame
Which is glory and favour’s name.
22 Do not show partiality
To your own harm, or deference’ fee
To your downfall. 23 Do not refrain
From speaking at the time of gain,
And do not hide your wisdom sane.

I’ve seen the two faces of shame and I
Have spoken too quickly and on the sly,
Until I wonder if the better way
Is not that I have chosen, and to stay
At the foot of my mountain by the glint
Of quartzite washed by melting snows and hint
Of thaw in the midwinter’s bounty’s stint.
From here I can observe the times and see
The evil on the sky and in the tree
That thins before the winds of poisoned dust.
I whirl beneath a shadow of the rust
That paints the morning fine above the lake.
I turn again, and straighten out my rake
And settle once more for my mountain’s sake.

24 For wisdom is known through men’s speech,
And education come to teach
Through the words of the tongue to reach.
25 Never speak against truth, but be
Aware of ignorance’ degree.
26 Do not be ashamed to confess
Your sins, and do not try to mess
With the current of a steam’s power.
27 Do not subject yourself an hour
To a foolish fellow, nor show
Partiality to a chief’s row.
28 Strive even to death for the truth
And YHWH Ælohim from your youth
Will fight for you.

You’d better start quickly now, my Beloved.
I have not seen You outfitted and gloved
To fight for me yet, though plenty there be
Of every kind of opportunity.
You’d better start to fight for justice’ sake,
Though I admit I do not take the cake,
And millions more lie under thrall and wake
Of greater evils than I have to bear.
In my small circle the wrongs I can share
To right are small. I still lift up my voice
In strident protest for Your gun of choice.
If You are God, there must be more that You
Can do against the wicked, wily crew.
You act and I shall stay here to rejoice.

29 Do not be reckless
In your speech, sluggish or feckless
In your deeds. 30 Don’t be like a lion
In your home, nor come in to try on
Faultfinding with your servants’ share.
31 Let not your hand extend in care
To receive, but withdraw when it
Is time to repay cat and kit.

The one who never speaks against the truth
Has learned the prudent thing up from his youth,
That ignorance of this world’s high degree
Will stop his mouth for good eternity.
It’s quite another thing to keep mouth shut
Than to speak up for truth before the cut.
I too miscalculate the fair decree
Of ignorance about me like a sea,
And take the middle way between the speech
And silence silver like a picture peach
To write my blessings and my curses here
Upon the lakeshore of a northern sphere.
At least I have no servants to lie stung
Beneath the heavy songs that I have sung.

SIRACH 5

1 Do not set your heart on your wealth,
Nor say, “I have enough by stealth.”
2 Do not follow your inclination
And strength, walking into the ration
Of the desires of your own heart.
3 Don’t say “Who’ll have power on my part?”
For YHWH will surely punish you.
4 Don’t say “I sinned, what hit my view?”
For YHWH is slow to anger’s due.
5 Don’t be so sure of atonement
That you add sin to sin to vent.

The whole establishment of Christendom
Is so assured of the atonement’s rum
Upon the cross that with impunity
They wait upon a pagan Trinity
And break the Sabbath week by week to test
How much of sin they can fit in suit vest.
If that were not enough, the call to war
Is always on the lip of Roman whore
To say what war is just and what is not.
The democratic lobby’s in the plot
To make sure that the battle that is fought
Is in the interests of big business wrought.
Beloved, I’m sure of no atonement yet
But intercession of innocent met.

6 Don’t say, “His mercy’s great, and He
Will forgive my sins in their spree,”
For both mercy and anger are
With Him, and His anger’s not far
From sinners. 7 Do not hesitate
To turn to YHWH, postponing date
From day to day, for suddenly
The wrath of YHWH will come to see,
And at the time of punishment
You’ll perish though within your tent.

So many people in my world are sure
That the atonement of the cross is pure
And Gospel truth, and yet I find You warn
Me not to be sure of such mercy born.
So many people in my quire require
No actions good defined by Sinai’s fire,
But say belief in Jesus is enough
To save the impure, sinner, and the tough.
Beloved, I am unsure of every gift
Of an atonement that requires the rift
Of human sacrifice to pave the way.
I list instead the Pentecostal day
When You spoke once forever on the ground
And sent down from the mount a certain sound.

8 Don’t depend on dishonest wealth,
For it will not benefit health
In the day of calamity.
9 Do not winnow with every wind,
Nor follow every path that sinned:
The double-tongued sinner does that.
10 Be steadfast in your wisdom’s vat,
And let your speech be consistent.
11 Be quick to hear, slowly present
Your answer. 12 If you’ve understanding,
Answer your neighbour, if remanding,
Put your hand on your mouth and stay.
13 Both glory and dishonour come
From speaking, and a man’s tongue’s hum
Is his downfall. 14 Do not be called
A slanderer, and don’t lie stalled
In ambush with your tongue, for shame
Comes to the thief, and severe blame
To the double-tongued. 15 In great and
Small matters don’t act as wrong planned.

It does not matter what I come to say,
Beloved, on this or such and such a day.
If I am silent or if I speak up,
They knock me down with the force of a tup.
Calamity to me is peace and grace
Of marketing about the wretched place
Ignoring Your commandments while the sound
Of praise and rocking blessing flow aground.
Beloved, in matters large and small I take
The Decalogue to define soon and late,
And in that definition find myself
Secluded and set aside on the shelf.
What may seem right to me and other men
Is not always what You say once again.

SIRACH 6

1 Do not become an enemy
Instead of friend, for bad degree
Brings about both shame and reproach
Which are the fork-tongued sinner’s coach.
2 Don’t let your soul cause you to brag,
Lest your soul be tattered to rag
Like a bull. 3 You’ll consume your leaves
And drop your fruit out of your sleeves
And be left like a withered tree.
4 A wicked soul will wickedly
Destroy the one who’s in its fee,
And cause him to be a derision
Before all his enemies’ vision.
5 A pleasant voice multiplies friends,
A gracious tongue many amends.
6 Let those who are at peace with you
Be many, but allow the true
Advice to come from one among
A thousand in council when sung.
7 When you gain a friend, gain him through
Proof of his wear, and do not trust
Anyone hastily for crust.

The average man it seems has enemies
As well as friends of varying degrees.
The trick’s to keep one’s foes in number
As small as possible to slumber,
At the same time a thousand friends
Kept at the right distance and bends
Ought to be balanced by the few
Who know to give good counsel due.
Beloved, it is an art, I trow, and yet
It’s one that must be taken with a bet.
I have an enemy or two around,
I have some friends who encumber my ground,
But only You are counsellor and found
The truest friend that I have ever met.

8 For there’s a friend who is such at
His own convenience on the mat,
But will not stand by you in day
Of trouble. 9 And there is a gay
Friend who changes to enemy,
And tells your secret faults in glee.
10 And there’s a friend who drinks with you,
But in your trouble leaves your pew.
11 When things go well he is your mate
Ready to give your servants rate,
12 But if you’re brought low he will turn
Against you, and hide what you earn.
13 Keep yourself far from enemies,
And be on guard toward your friends’ pleas.
14 A faithful friend’s a sturdy shelter:
Find one and find a treasure’s welter.
15 Nothing’s so valued as a friend
Who’s faithful, and no scales can bend
To measure out his worthiness,
No matter where is his address.
16 A good friend’s an aperitif
Of life, and those who in their grief
Fear YHWH will find Him in relief.
17 The one who fears YHWH directs his
Friendship aright, for as he is,
So also is his neighbour’s feoff.

Beloved, I have no drinking buddies here,
And that’s because I simply don’t drink beer.
It’s good to know I’m missing nothing dear,
But that such friends are lacking in sincere.
Beloved, I have no servants to seduce
False friends to come and drink up all my juice,
But it’s a good thing that I know abuse
By such friends is a waywardly excuse.
Beloved, if I feared You in the right way,
No doubt I’d be a better friend in sway,
Faithful in everything not to betray.
Here where I sit I’m far from enemy
As well as friend, a hermit in the tree,
The willow fallen by my well for free.

18 My son, from your youth learn to choose
Right teaching, when old don’t refuse
To keep on finding wisdom’s clues.
19 Find her like one who ploughs and sows,
And expect her good harvest rows.
For in her service you will toil
A little while, and soon the spoil
Of her produce you’ll eat in foil.
20 She seems strict to those without thought,
The feeble-minded won’t stay caught
With her. 21 For she will weigh him down
Like a great testing stone for frown,
And he’ll not be slow to leave her.
22 For wisdom’s like her name in fur,
She’s not the talk of all the town.

The first switchback brings to the gentle rise
Where markets brim with every bright surprise,
And there the many stay to enjoy fat,
And drink the sweet and not get over that.
The second takes the fewer on around
To where the rituals’ delights are found,
And there the cosy join the loving few
To look out on a fertile and green view.
The third turns on a rocky place to hide
The fairer grapes of wisdom on the side,
And those who find them dream on in their pride.
The pinnacle is the fourth place to go,
Windswept with neither friend nor challenged foe,
With only blue by day, night stars to glow.

23 Listen, my son, hear my judgment,
Do not reject my counsel lent.
24 Put your feet in her fetters, and
Your neck into her collar’s band.
25 Put shoulder under her and bear,
Don’t fret beneath her bonds and swear.
26 But come to her with all your soul,
And keep her ways with your strength whole.
27 Search out and seek, and she’ll become
Known to you, when you take her sum,
Don’t let her go away a bum.
28 For at last you will find the rest
She gives, and she’ll be changed to best
Joy for you. 29 Then her fetters will
Become for you protection’s hill,
Her collar a fine garment still.
30 Her yoke’s a golden ornament,
Her bonds a cord of blue unbent.
31 You’ll wear her like a glorious cloak,
A crown of gladness at a stroke.

The trouble with the finding of wise things
Is that the loss while learning under stings
Is never gained again, new situations
Require the knowledge of renewing rations.
The knowledge gained is that I would have found
More useful in already travelled ground.
I know the steps that I’ve taken before:
It’s future steps I need to keep in score.
Beloved, You teach by life and heart conviction,
But too late for my own inspired prediction.
And what I have of wit, though I would share,
No one is living but who want the care
Of learning by experience what I
Might have revealed to save them from the sty.

32 My son, if you’re willing, you’ll be
Taught, and if you work hard you’ll see
Results. 33 If you love to hear well
You will gain knowledge in a spell,
If you turn your ear, you’ll be wise.
34 Observe the group of elders. Who
Is wise, stick with him, don’t despise.
35 Be ready to hear every view
And don’t let wise words escape you.
36 If you see a wise man, go soon
To find him, and let your foot’s boon
Wear out his doorstep night and noon.
37 Contemplate YHWH’s statues and keep
His commandments in mind in sleep
And waking. It is He who’ll give
Insight to your mind how to live,
And grant your wish you may acquire
All the wisdom that you desire.

No one wears out my doorstep here to find
What wisdom I have gained among the blind.
I guess that means that none have read these words,
Or those who have, need none of my fresh curds.
I have worn out the doorsteps of the wise
And taken gems from many in their guise,
But all these treasures stay in store with me,
Perhaps because I have no wise degree.
Beloved, I contemplate Your word and bear
The sweetness of Your law and still find there
After the decades I have read the bright
Things sparkling in Your Torah of delight.
I hide them in the sonnets that I write
And keep the speckled sparkling for my share.

SIRACH 7

1 Do no evil, and evil will
Never befall you. 2 And stay still
Away from wrong, and it will turn
Away from you by what you learn.

Good gracious, give a break! How many more
Beside myself have smelt the blood and gore,
The waking of the innocent to death,
Welcome relief after the chilling breath
Of fast oppression on all who somehow
Have been left open to the rake and plough?
Beloved, it simply is not true the weight
Of evil falls alone on wicked pate.
Such optimism is almost insane,
The draught of poison to deaden the pain.
Let me stay wide awake, ungarbled by
The siren hopes of pie up in the sky,
Until I breathe my last and realize
My innocence brought me into this guise.

3 My son, do not sow injustice,
And you’ll not reap sevenfold remiss.
4 Don’t seek from YHWH the highest places,
Nor honours from the royal graces.
5 Do not clamour your righteousness
In front of YHWH, nor make address
Of your wisdom before the king.
6 Don’t seek to be justice judging,
Lest you fail to stop wickedness,
Lest you be partial in address
To the great and so place a stain
On your own righteousness in vain.

Indeed, no use is it to clamour for
Due justice at Your shut fast divine door.
I ask no boon from You, Beloved, nor from
The king or president. I know the sum.
You give nothing but breath and nerve to feel
The injustices of the divine heel.
The other is out to make sure all men
Succumb before the divine claims again
That he trills out in murmuring of fate.
There’s no trusting in You nor in the rate
Of any living man. The only store
Of help is the help of oneself, no more.
I face the living hell of Your creation
And face it with a lifting and elation.

7 Do not offend the common folk,
And don’t disgrace yourself like smoke.
8 Do not commit a sin two times,
Even for one you’ll suffer crimes.
9 Do not say, “He’ll consider how
Many good deeds I have done now,
And when I make an offering to
The Most High Ælohim and true
He will accept it as my due.”

Some think to atone for their crimes by deeds
Of charity and so exchange their weeds
For roses. But the wise man comes to say
That You, Beloved, don’t seem to work that way.
The one who plans his wickedness before
And hopes that later he’ll come to restore
Dishonesty with pilgrimage and blood
Of sheep has faith not yet even in bud.
Beloved, keep me from crimes of sin so I
Shall not be tempted to atone and try
To make up for my evil deeds with what
You tell me to bring You from heart and gut.
The calculating heart’s not one to love,
But only finds the empty back of glove.

10 Don’t be fainthearted in your prayer,
Nor neglect to give your alms’ share.
11 Don’t ridicule a man who grieves,
For there’s surely One who receives
The right to let down and exalt.
12 Do not devise a lie in fault
Against your brother, nor the like
To a friend. 13 Refuse at a strike
To speak any lie, for the deed
Of lying serves no good nor seed.
14 Don’t rattle on in gathering
Of elders, nor repeat a thing
In your prayer. 15 Do not hate the toil
Of labour on the farm and soil,
Which were created by Most High.
16 Do not participate awry
Among the crowd of sinners, mind
That retribution is not kind.

The ten commandments of the wise are here
And show that natural faith upon the pier
Is much the same throughout the world of grief
And everywhere a man’s heart seeks relief.
But the wise heart of Sirach’s son cannot
Limit itself to just ten of the taught,
But must increase the load to several more.
And yet with that forgets to keep in store
The great commandment of the Sabbath day.
This book’s like many in such wise in lay
Throughout the world, the Chinese classic’s gong,
The Tao Te King with its bright jingle song.
All beautiful and just against the wrong,
But insufficient despite the long ray.

17 Abase yourself and so repent,
For the punishment that is sent
Upon the wicked’s worms and fire.
18 Do not exchange a friend for hire,
A true brother for Ophir’s gold.
19 Do not deprive yourself to hold
A wise and good wife, for her charm
Is worth more than the gold in arm.
20 Do not abuse a servant who
Performs his work as well as due,
Or a hired labourer who spends
His strength to bring about your ends.
21 Love an intelligent servant,
Do not withhold from him the bent
Of his freedom. 22 Do you have cows?
Look after them, feed from the mows
If they bring you a profit sure
Then keep them alive, well and pure.
23 Do you have children? Discipline
Them, and make them obey no sin
From their youth. 24 Do you have daughters?
Be careful of their chastity,
And do not be as lenient stirs.
25 Give daughters in marriage degree,
And you’ll have finished your decree.
But give her to a man that shows
Understanding the way he goes.

The reference to cattle and to sons
Is commentary on the Sabbath runs,
Which is the commandment where both are mentioned
As having rights indelibly conventioned.
I take back my words that the Sabbath’s missing
From natural law with mercy’s justice kissing.
The thoughtful heathen man in justice smirking
Is just as right and true as prophet working
And You Yourself in law and rhyme and puns.
Beloved, I take the lesson of the cattle
And go on with my fevered, shameless prattle
In praise of Your law spoken on the mount
And writ on human heart for an account.
Bless old Confucius and Lao Tse in battle.

26 If you have a wife to please you,
Do not cast her out of the pew,
But do not trust yourself to one
Whom you detest from head to bun.
27 With all your heart honour your dad,
And don’t forget the birth pangs sad
Of your mother. 28 Remember that
Through your parents you hit the mat,
And what can you give back to them
That equals their gift to your hem?
29 With all your soul fear YHWH, and come
To honour His priests in their sum.
30 Love your Creator with your strength,
And don’t forsake His priests at length.
31 Fear YHWH and honour the priest, and
Give him his portion by command:
The first fruits, the guilt offering, and
The gift of the shoulders, the part
Inspected and confirmed in art
Of sacrifice of holiness,
And the first fruits of holy dress.
32 Stretch out your hand to feed the poor,
So that your blessing may be sure.
33 Give graciously to all who live,
And withhold no kindness but give
To the dead. 34 Do not fail those who
Weep, but mourn with those who mourn too.
35 Don’t hesitate to go to see
A sick man, because for such fee
You will be loved. 36 In all you do,
Keep the end of your life in view,
And you will never sin construe.

The repertoire of Sirach’s son goes through
The commandments one by one and so true.
It minds the blessing on both mom and dad,
The only practice of faith to make glad
The heart and soul both human and divine.
But the addition that I don’t find fine
Is blessing on the priest. The ones I know
Are mere usurpers of the Gospel show.
There are some Cohens to be found, I’m sure.
Perhaps I should look some up as a cure,
And give each one a silver dollar for
The blessing on Aaron and Moses’ store.
Enoch means more to me, though, in his right,
And he provides no priesthood in my sight.

SIRACH 8

1 Do not contend with men of power,
So’s not to fall into their tower.
2 Don’t quarrel with a rich man either,
Lest by the weight of wealth and tither
He win his case, for gold has spoiled
Many and ruined kings’ minds uncoiled.
3 Don’t argue with a wordy fool,
Nor pile wood on his fire to cool.
4 Don’t joke around with ill-bred folk,
Lest shame fall on ancestors’ stoke.
5 Do not reproach a man who’s turning
Away from sin, mind we’re all earning
Our punishment. 6 Do not disdain
A man when he is old in pain,
For some of us are growing old.
7 Do not rejoice at the news told
Of any one’s death, mind that we
Must all die. 8 Do not slight the word
Of sages, but stay with heart stirred
By proverbs, because from them you
Will get instruction in your due
And learn to serve in great men’s view.
9 Don’t disregard old people’s sayings,
For they themselves learned from their strayings
When their own fathers taught them well,
And from them you will get a spell
Of understanding and learn how
To give an answer in time’s row.
10 Don’t kindle now the sinner’s coals,
Lest you be burned in flaming bowls.

There are so many ways to meet the fool
Of humankind, so many rules of school!
I’ve been a sacred fool myself to choose
The same way of speaking out all my views:
Appeal to justice and to right the wrong
Has been the error of my saintly song.
I’ve erred, Beloved, in such presumption sure,
If only because justice is not pure
On human lip and heart, no matter how
Sincere the weight upon the youthful brow.
Let me, Beloved, learn at this late day now
To leave all justice to Your helpful hand
And merely further my own interest planned.
I’m neither god nor brother’s keeper manned.

11 Do not walk out on insolence,
Lest he hide out for your vengeance.
12 Do not lend to a man who’s stronger
Than you, but if you lend a monger,
Reconcile yourself to the loss.
13 Do not give surety to toss
Beyond your means, but if you do,
Give it with the intention due
To pay it all yourself in brew.
14 Don’t go to law against a judge,
Because the case will never budge
Against him for his standing’s fudge.
15 Don’t travel with a careless mate,
Lest he be burdensome in state,
For he will act just as he please,
And you’ll share in his folly’s ease.
16 Do not fight with a wrathful man,
And don’t join him in desert span,
For blood is nothing in his sight,
And when there’s no help for a wight,
He’ll strike you down with all his might.
17 Do not consult a fool, for he
Will not keep secrets faithfully.
18 Before a stranger do no thing
You wish to keep in secret ring,
For you do not know what he’ll sing.
19 Do not reveal your thoughts to all,
Lest you lose your luck in the brawl.

The son of Sirach has more wit to see
The way of lending in this worldly spree
Than does the fond Messiah that I find
In course of Gospel written to the blind.
He does not tell me to lend to sundry,
But warns that I shall lose my coat and shoe
If I presume to undersign the due.
Mary’s son would have me lend free to all
And lose my shirt as well and dining hall.
But both are wise enough to know the court
Will always bring a verdict that is short
On justice and long on the fawning on
The one of wealth and power before he’s gone.
I take the both of them as a good sport.

AUTHOR: THOMAS G. MCELWAIN

Copyright © 2007 Adams & McElwain Publishers and Thomas McElwain First Published in two volumes, The Beloved and I 2005, and Led of the Beloved, 2006. Second Edition, 2010 Third and revised edition, 2012 All rights reserved. No part of this verse commentary on the sacred Scriptures may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from publisher.

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