1Whereas many great teachings have been given to us through the law and the prophets 2and the others that followed them, 3on account of which we should praise Israel for instruction and wisdom; 4and since it is necessary not only that the readers themselves should acquire understanding 5but also that those who love learning should be able to help the outsiders 6by both speaking and writing, 7my grandfather Jesus, after devoting himself 8especially to the reading of the law 9and the prophets 10and the other books of our fathers, 11and after acquiring considerable proficiency in them, 12was himself also led to write something pertaining to instruction and wisdom, 13 in order that, by becoming conversant with this also, 14those who love learning should make even greater progress in living according to the law.
15You are urged therefore 16 to read with good will and attention, 17and to be indulgent in cases where, 18despite our diligent labour 19in translating, 20we may seem to have rendered some phrases imperfectly. 21For what was originally 22expressed in Hebrew does not have exactly the same sense when translated into another language. 23Not only this work, 24but even the law itself, the prophecies, 25and the rest of the books 26 differ not a little as originally expressed.
27When I came to Egypt in the thirty-eighth year of the reign of Euergetes 28and stayed for some time, 29I found opportunity for no little instruction. 30It seemed highly necessary that I should myself devote some pains and labour to the translation of the following book, 31using in that period of time 32great watchfulness and skill 33in order to complete and publish the book 34for those living abroad who wished to gain learning, 35being prepared in character 36to live according to the law.
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