13 Worst of all sufferings is that from one's foes, worst of all vengeance is that of one's enemies: 20 But they called upon the Most High God and lifted up their hands to him; 12 And Jeshua, Jozadak's son? 24 Listen, my son, and heed my advice; refuse not my counsel. In the ensuing years, at the close of the 19th century and throughout the 20th century, more and more folios of Ben Sira from the Cairo Genizah were identified by scholars. Both the Bodleian's own website and www.genizah.org display these folios in the incorrect order. 21 How irksome she is to the unruly! 12 Do not let her reveal her beauty to any male, or spend her time with married women; 7 He made him perpetual in his office when he bestowed on him the priesthood of his people; De bonnes relations, tu peux en avoir avec beaucoup de monde ; mais des conseils, n'en demande qu'à un seul entre mille. 23 If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the LORD will bestow her upon you; 14 Few on earth have been made the equal of ENOCH, for he was taken up bodily. 19 These two bring grief to my heart, and the third arouses my horror: Since Beentjes’s publication, however, new leaves belonging to MS C and MS D have come to light (see above), so that we have needed to renumber some of the folios. 15 Now will I recall God’s works; what I have seen, I will describe. 10 Yet these also were godly men whose virtues have not been forgotten; 3 Your leaves it will eat, your fruits destroy, and you will be left a dry tree, The Book was not included in the Hebrew Masoretic Text as part of the Hebrew Canon of the Old Testament. The Book of Sirach, also called the Wisdom of Sirach or simply Sirach (/ ˈ s aɪ r æ k /), and also known as the Book of Ecclesiasticus (/ ɪ ˌ k l iː z i ˈ æ s t ɪ k ə s /; abbreviated Ecclus.) In his own flesh he incised the ordinance, and when tested he was found loyal. 8 Because of this, they were the only two spared from the six hundred thousand infantry, 1 From him was to spring the man who won the favor of all: Then when you have her, do not let her go; 5 Composers of melodious psalms, or discoursers on lyric themes; 18 Then hymns would re-echo, and over the throng sweet strains of praise resound. Ben Sira criticises Solomon for surrendering himself to women, but surprisingly, Ben Sira does not mention at all that Solomon’s wives were foreigners. The book was translated into Greek by the author’s grandson in Egypt (almost undoubtedly in Alexandria) in 132 B.C.E., during the reign of Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II. 22 Among wisdom's treasures is the paragon of prudence; but fear of the LORD is an abomination to the sinner. by a sage in Jerusalem bearing the name שמעון בן ישוע בן אלעזר בן סירא Shim‘on ben Yeshua‘ ben ’El‘azar ben Sira (to cite the name of the author as presented in Manuscript B at 50:27, 51:30), or Yeshua‘ ben ’El‘azar ben Sira (via the Greek version at 50:27) – but which has come down to us, regardless of the specific forenames, as simply Ben Sira (again, see Manuscript B at 51:30: שנקרא בן סירא ‘who is called Ben Sira’). Welcome to www.bensira.org, the website devoted to the ancient and medieval Hebrew manuscripts of the book of Ben Sira. 13 And for all time their progeny will endure, their glory will never be blotted out; Their sinfulness grew more and more, While we could have placed the two in perfect combination, we have elected to leave a small space between them, so that the user of this website is able to realize how the two have become one. Until they were rooted out of their land and scattered all over the earth. 29 Because you approached the fear of the LORD with your heart full of guile. Indeed, due to the vagaries by which the approximately 300,000 Cairo Genizah manuscripts found their way to dozens of diverse libraries, museums, institutions, and private collections throughout Europe, North America, and Israel, even folios from the same manuscript are located in different places. At our website they appear in the correct order, with correct procession of the material from Ben Sira 40:9 through Ben Sira 49:11. For an English translation of Sirach, the reader is directed to the rendering by Benjamin G. Wright, as part of A New English Translation of the Septuagint (NETS), under the general editorship of Albert Pietersma and Benjamin G. Wright, available online at: http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/nets/edition/30-sirach-nets.pdf. He conferred on him the rights of royalty and established his throne in Israel. With string music before the altar, providing sweet melody for the psalms 13 For just as moths come from garments, so a woman’s wickedness comes from a woman. 9 A daughter is a treasure that keeps her father wakeful, and worry over her drives away sleep: On y trouve aussi bien des traits qui le rapprochent des Psaumes et du livre de Job. Retrouvez toutes les phrases célèbres de Ben Sira parmi une sélection de + de 100 000 citations célèbres provenant d'ouvrages, d'interviews ou de discours. 21 février 2017 – Ben Sira le Sage 2,1-2. We know this specific information, for it is our good fortune that the grandson included an extended prologue to the book, in which he provides the specific date (to wit, year 38 of the reign of Euergetes). 2 The abounding glory of the Most High's portion, his own part, since the days of old. Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs, and, in the Greek Septuagint, the Books of Wisdom and Sirach. 7 All these were glorious in their time, each illustrious in his day. 17 With song and story and riddle, and with your answers, you astounded the nations. The book of Ben Sira was composed in Hebrew c. 180 B.C.E. For the Most High possesses all knowledge, and sees from of old the things that are to come. As with the Book of Job, the author notes the "beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord." 6 Which he rained down upon the hostile army till on the slope he destroyed the foe; 17 For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself. 15 At gatherings their wisdom is retold, and the assembly proclaims their praise. To teach the precepts to his people, and the ritual to the descendants of Israel. This single folio was published by Moses Gaster in Jewish Quarterly Review (Old Series) in 1900, but unfortunately its whereabouts are now unknown. 12 O Elijah, enveloped in the whirlwind! 13 All the sons of Aaron in their dignity clustered around him like poplars, Was an individual heritage through one son alone; but the heritage of Aaron is for all his descendants. Ben Sira, the author, was a devout man of wisdom who lived in Jerusalem about 200 BC. This seems to be the earliest title of the book. He is the author of Sirach, also known as the "Book of Ecclesiasticus". 16 Wickedness changes a woman's looks, and makes her sullen as a female bear. 22 And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth; 3 God wrought swift miracles at his words and sustained him in the king's presence. All told, we now possess about two-thirds of the Hebrew original of Ben Sira (one estimate calculates about 2210 cola out of about 3220 cola in the complete Greek version of Ben Sira), with considerable overlap between and among the various manuscripts. 19 All the people of the land would shout for joy, praying to the Merciful One, The book of Ben Sira was composed in Hebrew c. 180 B.C.E. 02 Le Seigneur glorifie le père dans ses enfants, il renforce l’autorité de la mère sur ses fils. 4 How awesome are you, ELIJAH! 15 Your understanding covered the whole earth, and, like a sea, filled it with knowledge. And poured it out at the foot of the altar, a sweet-smelling odor to the Most High God, 01 Mes enfants, écoutez-moi, qui suis votre père, et agissez en conséquence, afin d’être sauvés. A Fifty-First Chapter concludes the Book with a prayer. 12 Worst of all wounds is that of the heart, worst of all evils is that of a woman. 17 Knowledge and full understanding she showers down; she heightens the glory of those who possess her. 6 A jealous wife is heartache and mourning and a scourging tongue like the other three. 22 How beautiful are all his works, delightful to gaze upon and a joy to behold! 32 My son, if you wish, you can be taught; if you apply yourself, you will be shrewd. In a lasting covenant with him and with his family, as permanent as the heavens, One can imagine the confusion and the difficulty in examining all the textual witnesses. 18 He brought low the rulers of the enemy and destroyed all the lords of the Philistines. 8 Happy is he who dwells with a sensible wife, and he who plows not like a donkey yoked with an ox. 18 During his reign Sennacherib led an invasion and sent his adjutant; Another folio which deserves special comment is MS C, folio VII, recto and verso. 3 What you have not saved in your youth, how will you acquire in your old age? Livre de Ben Sira le Sage. 17 Like the light which shines above the holy lampstand, are her beauty of face and graceful figure. Who did not abandon God: may their memory be ever blessed, 14 A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. Twelve chapters of Ben Sira are reproduced here. In time, the book of Ben Sira, via its Greek and then later translations, became part of the Christian Bible, where it is known as either Sirach (in Greek) or Ecclesiasticus (in Latin). Precious is his memory, like honey to the taste, like music at a banquet. Livre de Ben Sirac le Sage (48, 1-4.9-11) La Parole de Dieu . In the end, as noted above, pages from six separate manuscripts were discovered. 23 Everything lives and abides forever; and to meet each need all things are preserved. 26 Stoop your shoulders and carry her and be not irked at her bonds. A note about viewing the images: Within the ‘View the Manuscripts’ module, you will find a pull-down menu with each manuscript presented separately (Genizah MSS A-F; Masada; Qumran). Le prophète Élie surgit comme un feu, sa parole brûlait comme une torche. Without the background story from 1 Kings 11, a reader of Ben Sira might think that Solomon’s transgression was perhaps adultery or a kind of sexual insatiability. Because of his worth there were survivors, and with a sign to him the deluge ended; Prior to the creation of www.bensira.org, the scholar or interested lay person wishing to consult the various Ben Sira manuscripts needed to turn to a host of publications and/or internet sites. Lisez le TOP 10 des citations de Ben Sira pour mieux comprendre sa vie, ses actes et sa philosophie. 15 Despite all this the people did not repent, nor did they give up their sins, Saved by Shaun G. Lynch, CFRE 1 Say nothing harmful, small or great; be not a foe instead of a friend; 4 For his trustworthiness and meekness God selected him from all mankind; Sirach begins at quire 68, folio 1r (which includes the grandson's prologue), and runs through quire 71, folio 2r; the website presents both the images and the transcription. 9: C'est lui qui l'a créée; il l'a vue et il l'a nombrée. 16 Your fame reached distant coasts, and their peoples came to hear you; » Livre de Ben Sira le Sage 6, 14-16 « Le juste montre la voie à son ami, le chemin des méchants les égare. 8 Some of them have left behind a name and men recount their praiseworthy deeds; A book with many different names, and containing lots of important information. 1 But of these things do not be ashamed, lest you sin to save face: Le livre de Bèn Sira, appelé couramment Ecclésiastique, fait partie des écrits sapientiaux. 3 In his time the reservoir was dug, the pool with a vastness like the sea's. 11 Vested in his magnificent robes, and wearing his garments of splendor, 15 For Moses ordained him and anointed him with the holy oil, Le livre du Siracide,que la tradition latine appelle Ecclésiastique,nous a été transmis dans son intégralité dans des manuscrits de la Septantegrecque (LXX*) sous le titre de Sagesse de Jésus fils de Sirach, du nom de son auteur (Ben Sira dans la tradition juive) ou, elliptiquement, Sagesse de Sirach. They abandoned the Law of the Most High, these kings of Judah, right to the very end. 17 Then the LORD thundered forth from heaven, and the tremendous roar of his voice was heard. the book of sirach or ben sira The Book of Sirach , also known as Ecclesiasticus, is part of the Wisdom Literature of the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate Bible. 24 Allow water no outlet, and be not indulgent to an erring wife. 15 Choicest of blessings is a modest wife, priceless her chaste person. Spécialiste fervent des Écritures saintes d'Israël, ayant beaucoup voyagé, il appartenait au monde des Sages. 13 Keep away from your enemies; be on your guard with your friends. Un ami fidèle n’a pas de prix, sa valeur est inestimable. 11 22 For Hezekiah did what was right and held fast to the paths of David, 16 ENOCH walked with the LORD and was taken up, that succeeding generations might learn by his example. Note added in May 2020: Since the website was launched in December 2013, Eric Reymond (Yale University) has worked assiduously to identify new readings in the Ben Sira manuscripts. 7 Of numbering every deposit, of recording all that is taken in and given out; 1 The name JOSIAH is like blended incense, made lasting by a skilled perfumer. Son genre littéraire ressemble à celui des Proverbes, de Qohèlèt et de la Sagesse de Salomon. Welcome to www.bensira.org, the website devoted to the ancient and medieval Hebrew manuscripts of the book of Ben Sira. To our great fortune, portions of six medieval manuscripts were discovered in the Cairo Genizah, commencing in 1896. By the LORD’s word his works were brought into being; he accepts the one who does his will. Il fit venir la famine sur les hommes d'Israël, et, dans son ardeur, en fit périr un grand nombre. 14 How wise you were when you were young, overflowing with instruction, like the Nile in flood! One final note: The Greek version of Ben Sira (= Sirach) as attested in Codex Sinaiticus (the oldest complete manuscript of the Bible in Greek) is available online via the British Library and its partner institutions: http://www.codexsinaiticus.org/en/. 9 And a rustle of bells round about, through whose pleasing sound at each step 21 For a while he holds back his words, then the lips of many herald his wisdom. Chapter 4 - My child, do not mock the life of the poor; do not keep needy eyes waiting. Les 42 premiers chapitres forment une longue série de sentences. 9 And the strength he gave to Caleb remained with him even in his old age We know nothing of Ben Sira beyond what can be gathered from the book itself. 7 for they had treated him badly who even in the womb had been made a prophet, xpansive in folly, limited in sense, REHOBOAM, who by his policy made the people rebel; Again his language is veiled. 8 He has poured her forth upon all his works, 25 For each in turn, as it comes, is good; can one ever see enough of their splendor? That he would give them an inheritance from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. 14 By the law of the LORD he judged the nation, when he visited the encampments of Jacob. 2 God's honor devolved upon him, and the Lord strengthened him with fearful powers;