Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 1

In Praise of Wisdom

¹All wisdom is from the Lord,

and with him it remains forever.

²The sand of the sea, the drops of rain,

and the days of eternity—who can count them?

³The height of heaven, the breadth of the earth,

the abyss, and wisdom —who can search them out?

⁴Wisdom was created before all other things,

and prudent understanding from eternity.

⁶The root of wisdom—to whom has it been revealed?

Her subtleties—who knows them?

⁸There is but one who is wise, greatly to be feared,

seated upon his throne—the Lord.

⁹It is he who created her;

he saw her and took her measure;

he poured her out upon all his works,

¹⁰upon all the living according to his gift;

he lavished her upon those who love him.

Fear of the Lord Is True Wisdom

¹¹The fear of the Lord is glory and exultation,

and gladness and a crown of rejoicing.

¹²The fear of the Lord delights the heart,

and gives gladness and joy and long life.

¹³Those who fear the Lord will have a happy end;

on the day of their death they will be blessed.

¹⁴To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

she is created with the faithful in the womb.

¹⁵She made among human beings an eternal foundation,[#1.15 Gk]

and among their descendants she will abide faithfully.

¹⁶To fear the Lord is fullness of wisdom;

she inebriates mortals with her fruits;

¹⁷she fills their whole house with desirable goods,[#1.17 Other ancient authorities read]

and their storehouses with her produce.

¹⁸The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom,

making peace and perfect health to flourish.

¹⁹She rained down knowledge and discerning comprehension,

and she heightened the glory of those who held her fast.

²⁰To fear the Lord is the root of wisdom,

and her branches are long life.

²²Unjust anger cannot be justified,

for anger tips the scale to one's ruin.

²³Those who are patient stay calm until the right moment,

and then cheerfulness comes back to them.

²⁴They hold back their words until the right moment;

then the lips of many tell of their good sense.

²⁵In the treasuries of wisdom are wise sayings,

but godliness is an abomination to a sinner.

²⁶If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments,

and the Lord will lavish her upon you.

²⁷For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline,

fidelity and humility are his delight.

²⁸Do not disobey the fear of the Lord;

do not approach him with a divided mind.

²⁹Do not be a hypocrite before others,

and keep watch over your lips.

³⁰Do not exalt yourself, or you may fall

and bring dishonor upon yourself.

The Lord will reveal your secrets

and overthrow you before the whole congregation,

because you did not come in the fear of the Lord,

and your heart was full of deceit.