Friday 18 November 2016

Book of Sirach

CHAPTER 1 
All wisdom cometh from the Lord, and is with Him for ever. 2Who can


number the sand of the seas, and the drops of rain, and the days of eternity?

3Who can find out the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the

deep, and wisdom? 4Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the

understanding of prudence from everlasting. (5The word of the Lord is the

fountain of wisdom, and her ways are everlasting commandments.) 6To whom


hath the root of wisdom been revealed? or who hath known her wise

counsels? (7Unto whom hath the knowledge of wisdom been made manifest?

and who hath understood her great experience?) 8There is One wise and

greatly to be feared, He that sitteth upon His throne. 9The Lord Himself


created her, and saw her, and numbered her, and poured her out upon all His

works, 10in the midst of all flesh according to His gift, and He hath furnished

her abundantly to them that love Him. 11The fear of the Lord is glory, and

boasting, and gladness, and a crown of rejoicing. 12The fear of the Lord will

delight the heart, and it giveth joy, and gladness, and long life. 13Unto him


that feareth the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last, and he shall be

blessed in the day of his death. 14To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:

and she was created with the faithful in the womb. 15She hath built an


everlasting foundation among men, and she shall be trusted among their

seed. 16To fear the Lord is the fulness of wisdom, and she inebriateth them

with her fruits. 17She filleth all their house with things desirable, and the

garners with her increase. 18The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom,

making peace and perfect health to flourish. 19And He saw, and numbered


her, and she rained down skill and knowledge of understanding, and exalted

them to honour that hold her fast. 20The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord,

and the branches thereof are length of days. 21The fear of the Lord driveth

away sins, and when it endureth, it will turn away all wrath. 22Unjust anger

cannot be justified; for the sway of his fury is his destruction. 22A patient


man will hold him fast until the due season, and afterward joy shall spring up

unto him. 24He will hide his words until the due season, and the lips of many

shall declare his wisdom. 25The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of

wisdom: but godliness is an abomination to a sinner. 26If thou desire wisdom,


keep the commandments, and the Lord shall furnish her abundantly unto

thee. 27For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction: and faith and

meekness are His delight. 28Disobey not the fear of the Lord when thou art

poor; and come not unto Him with a double heart. 29Be not an hypocrite in

the sight of men, and take good heed with thy lips. 30Exalt not thyself, lest


thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul, and so the Lord discover thy

secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation, because thou

camest not in the fear of the Lord, and thy heart was full of deceit.