Sirach 1

The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiaticus

¹All wisdom comes from the Lord,

and is with him forever.1

²Who can count the sand of the seas,

the drops of rain,

and the days of eternity?

³Who will search out the height of the sky,

the breadth of the earth, the deep,

and wisdom?

⁴Wisdom has been created before all things,

and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.1 ⁵1

⁶To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed?

Who has known her shrewd counsels? ⁷

⁸There is one wise, greatly to be feared,

sitting upon his throne: the Lord.

⁹He created her.

He saw and measured her.

He poured her out upon all his works.

¹⁰She is with all flesh according to his gift.

He gave her freely to those who love him.

¹¹The fear of the Lord is glory, exultation,

gladness, and a crown of rejoicing.

¹²The fear of the Lord will delight the heart,

and will give gladness, joy, and length of days.

¹³Whoever fears the Lord, it will go well with him at the last.

He will be blessed in the day of his death.

¹⁴To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

It was created together with the faithful in the womb.1

¹⁵She laid an eternal foundation with men.

She will be trusted among their offspring.

¹⁶To fear the Lord is the fullness of wisdom.

She inebriates men with her fruits.1

¹⁷She will fill all her house with desirable things,

and her storehouses with her produce.

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

making peace and perfect health to flourish.

¹⁹He both saw and measured her.

He rained down skill and knowledge of understanding,

and exalted the honor of those who hold her fast.

²⁰To fear the Lord is the root of wisdom.

Her branches are length of days. ²¹

²²Unjust wrath can never be justified,

for his wrath tips the scale to his downfall.

²³A man that is patient will resist for a season,

and afterward gladness will spring up to him.

²⁴He will hide his words until the right moment,

and the lips of many will tell of his understanding.

²⁵A wise saying is in the treasures of wisdom;

but godliness is an abomination to a sinner.

²⁶If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments

and the Lord will give her to you freely;

²⁷for the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction.

Faith and humility are his good pleasure.

²⁸Don’t disobey the fear of the Lord.

Don’t come to him with a double heart.1

²⁹Don’t be a hypocrite in men’s sight.

Keep watch over your lips.

³⁰Don’t exalt yourself,

lest you fall and bring dishonor upon your soul.

The Lord will reveal your secrets

and will cast you down in the midst of the congregation,

because you didn’t come to the fear of the Lord

and your heart was full of deceit.