The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach — Ecclesiasticus

chapter 24


Chapters:


verse #1

Wisdom will praise her own soul, and will proclaim her glory in the midst of her people.


verse #2

She will open her mouth in the congregation of the Most High, and proclaim her glory in the presence of his power.


verse #3

“I came out of the mouth of the Most High, and covered the earth as a mist.


verse #4

I lived in high places, and my throne is in the pillar of the cloud.


verse #5

Alone I surrounded the circuit of heaven, and walked in the depth of the abyss.


verse #6

In the waves of the sea, and in all the earth, and in every people and nation, I obtained a possession.


verse #7

With all these I sought rest. In whose inheritance shall I lodge?


verse #8

Then the Creator of all things gave me a command. He who created me made my tent to rest, and said, ‘Let your dwelling be in Jacob, and your inheritance in Israel.’


verse #9

He created me from the beginning, before the ages. For all ages, I will not cease to exist.


verse #10

In the holy tabernacle, I ministered before him. So I was established in Zion.


verse #11

In the beloved city, likewise he gave me rest. In Jerusalem was my domain.


verse #12

I took root in a people that was honored, even in the portion of the Lord’s own inheritance.


verse #13

I was exalted like a cedar in Lebanon, And like a cypress tree on the mountains of Hermon.


verse #14

I was exalted like a palm tree on the sea shore, like rose bushes in Jericho, and like a fair olive tree in the plain. I was exalted like a plane tree.


verse #15

Like cinnamon and aspalathus, I have given a scent to perfumes. Like choice myrrh, I spread abroad a pleasant fragrance, like galbanum, onycha, stacte, and as the smell of frankincense in the tabernacle.


verse #16

Like the terebinth, I stretched out my branches. My branches are glorious and graceful.


verse #17

Like the vine, I put forth grace. My flowers are the fruit of glory and riches.


verse #18

“Come to me, all you who desire me, and be filled with my fruits.


verse #19

For my memory is sweeter than honey, and my inheritance than the honeycomb.


verse #20

Those who eat me will be hungry for more. Those who drink me will be thirsty for more.


verse #21

He who obeys me will not be ashamed. Those who work with me will not sin.”


verse #22

All these things are the book of the covenant of the Most High God, the law which Moses commanded us for an inheritance for the assemblies of Jacob.


verse #23

It is he who makes wisdom abundant, as Pishon, and as Tigris in the days of first fruits.


verse #24

He makes understanding full as the Euphrates, and as the Jordan in the days of harvest,


verse #25

who makes instruction shine forth as the light, as Gihon in the days of vintage.


verse #26

The first man didn’t know her perfectly. In like manner, the last has not explored her.


verse #27

For her thoughts are filled from the sea, and her counsels from the great deep.


verse #28

I came out as a canal stream from a river, and as an irrigation ditch into a garden.


verse #29

I said, “I will water my garden, and will drench my garden bed.” Behold, my stream became a river, and my river became a sea.


verse #30

I will yet bring instruction to light as the morning, and will make these things clear from far away.


verse #31

I will continue to pour out teaching like prophecy, and leave it to all generations.


verse #32

See that I have not labored for myself only, but for all those who diligently seek wisdom.

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