0 ¹ Whereas many great teachings have been given to us through the law and the prophets 0 ² and the others that followed them, 0 ³ on account of which we should praise Israel for instruction and wisdom; 0 ⁴ and since it is necessary not only that the readers themselves should acquire understanding 0 ⁵ but also that those who love learning should be able to help the outsiders 0 ⁶ by both speaking and writing, 0 ⁷ my grandfather Jesus, after devoting himself 0 ⁸ especially to the reading of the law 0 ⁹ and the prophets 0 ¹⁰ and the other books of our fathers, 0 ¹¹ and after acquiring considerable proficiency in them, 0 ¹² was himself also led to write something pertaining to instruction and wisdom, 0 ¹³ in order that, by becoming conversant with this also, 0 ¹⁴ those who love learning should make even greater progress in living according to the law.

0 ¹⁵ You are urged therefore 0 ¹⁶ to read with good will and attention, 0 ¹⁷ and to be indulgent in cases where, 0 ¹⁸ despite our diligent labour 0 ¹⁹ in translating, 0 ²⁰ we may seem to have rendered some phrases imperfectly. 0 ²¹ For what was originally 0 ²² expressed in Hebrew does not have exactly the same sense when translated into another language. 0 ²³ Not only this work, 0 ²⁴ but even the law itself, the prophecies, 0 ²⁵ and the rest of the books 0 ²⁶ differ not a little as originally expressed.

0 ²⁷ When I came to Egypt in the thirty-eighth year of the reign of Euergetes 0 ²⁸ and stayed for some time, 0 ²⁹ I found opportunity for no little instruction. 0 ³⁰ It seemed highly necessary that I should myself devote some pains and labour to the translation of the following book, 0 ³¹ using in that period of time 0 ³² great watchfulness and skill 0 ³³ in order to complete and publish the book 0 ³⁴ for those living abroad who wished to gain learning, 0 ³⁵ being prepared in character 0 ³⁶ to live according to the law.