The saying "seek not what is too sublilme" comes as far as I know, from the Bible Vulgata as given in "Sirach 3:22." I find this in Douay Rheims as "Ecc 3:22." I did not find it in the KJV.
My questions:
1-Do I reference the saying correctly with "Sirach 3:22'?
2-Is the saying somewhere in the KJV of the Bible?
3-If not, "yes" to the above and why not?
4-Am I correct in thinking that "Sirach" is subsumed into Eccesiastes?
Thanks
2007-12-22 02:37:19 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
KJV with Apocrypha
Sirach 3:22 But what is commanded thee, think thereupon with reverence, for it is not needful for thee to see with thine eyes the things that are in secret.
Ecclesiastes 3:22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
Sirach is a part of the Apochrypha. These books, while written by religious Jews, are not considered by most to be of divine origin but are only highly respected religious writings of men.
2007-12-22 02:45:39 · answer #1 · answered by Martin S 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Most of these have been correctly answered so far, EXCEPT #4
1 - This is a correct way to reference it
2, 3 - The King James translators DID translate this book, which is accepted as part of the Old Testament by Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians, included as part of the Old Testament "Apocrypha" (otherwise known as a"Deuterocanonical" book)
But most users of the KJV are Protestants who do not accept the book as canonical (that is, not part of inspired Scripture), so it is very rarely printed in editions of the KJV. (Despite this, some Protestants find these books valuable for historical and devotional material in them.. I have a couple Bible translations with the Apocrypha on my shelf for just that reason.)
I should note that the quality of the translation (at least of the English prose) is not as highly regarded as the rest of the KJV. This may be in part because the translators did not think it canonical and so gave less attention to it. But another factor may be that the KJV was very largely based on EARLIER English translations (esp. the very popular Geneva Bible and the "mother" of all the 15th- early16th century translations, that of William TYNDALE). Since these earlier works did NOT include the Apocryphal books (not accepting it as Scripture), the KJV translators lacked their help here.
4. This is NOT part of "Ecclesiastes", which IS part of the agreed upon canon. Rather, the book is known not only as "Sirach" (or "The Wisdom of [Jesus ben] Sirach") for the name of its author, but ALSO sometimes called "Ecclesiasticus". The similarity of this name with that of the familiar biblical book explains the confusion AND why most folks prefer NOT to use this alternate name.
By the way, as a collection of proverbs and devotional wisdom, it is pretty good. In addition, there are a couple of NEW Testament passages that reflect a familiarity with this book (that is, that may allude to words or ideas in it). Note the following parallel in particular
Matthew 11:29-30 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Sirach 6:19-31 Come to (Wisdom) like one who plows and sows. Put your neck into her collar. Bind your shoulders and carry her...Come unto her with all your soul, and keep her ways with all your might...For at last you will find the rest she gives...Then her fetters will become for you a strong defense, and her collar a glorious robe. Her yoke is a golden ornament, and her bonds a purple cord.
Sirach 51:26 Put your neck under the yoke, and let your soul receive instruction: she is hard at hand to find .
2007-12-22 22:43:17 · answer #2 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This saying is not in the canon of scripture, but is part of the apocrypha. The reference is to Ecclesiasticus, not Ecclesiastes and as far as I can recall this was written by the son of Sirach so it is also known as the book of Sirach. The text of Ecclesiasticus can be found below:
2007-12-22 02:52:06 · answer #3 · answered by Tanks 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Book of Sirach is not considered part of the inspired books that make up the Holy Bible.
2007-12-22 03:12:35 · answer #4 · answered by lillie 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
"Sirach" is an apocryphal book. It was translated with the rest of the KJV, but is not in most printings... try a catholic bible..
or here
http://etext.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/KjvSira.html
2007-12-22 02:57:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are taken from the Apocrypha and/or pseudepigraphical books, not included in the Canon, so you won't find them anywhere in the KJV.
The Apocrypha & pseudepigraphical books are a collection of Inter-testamental books, mostly apocalyptic in nature, NOT accepted as the Word of God by Protestant Christians..
2007-12-22 02:47:31 · answer #6 · answered by cataliz <SFCU> 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forgive me my ignorance, but what book is Sirach? What religious text is that from?
2007-12-22 02:41:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
That book is only found in Catholic bibles. Protestant bibles removed 7 books
2007-12-22 02:48:00 · answer #8 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What is this Vulgata, I've never heard of it. We have better understanding when We have the Holy Spirit as our Guide.
2007-12-22 02:44:22 · answer #9 · answered by Lynn C 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋