The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus 39

1 But he that giveth his mind to the law of the most High and is occupied in the meditation thereof will seek out the wisdom of all the ancient and be occupied in prophecies

2 He will keep the sayings of the renowned men and where subtil parables are he will be there also

3 He will seek out the secrets of grave sentences and be conversant in dark parables

4 He shall serve among great men and appear before princes he will travel through strange countries for he hath tried the good and the evil among men

5 He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him and will pray before the most High and will open his mouth in prayer and make supplication for his sins

6 When the great Lord will he shall be filled with the spirit of understanding he shall pour out wise sentences and give thanks unto the Lord in his prayer

7 He shall direct his counsel and knowledge and in his secrets shall he meditate

8 He shall shew forth that which he hath learned and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord

9 Many shall commend his understanding and so long as the world endureth it shall not be blotted out his memorial shall not depart away and his name shall live from generation to generation

10 Nations shall shew forth his wisdom and the congregation shall declare his praise

11 If he die he shall leave a greater name than a thousand and if he live he shall increase it

12 Yet have I more to say which I have thought upon for I am filled as the moon at the full

13 Hearken unto me ye holy children and bud forth as a rose growing by the brook of the field

14 And give ye a sweet savour as frankincense and flourish as a lily send forth a smell and sing a song of praise bless the Lord in all his works

15 Magnify his name and shew forth his praise with the songs of your lips and with harps and in praising him ye shall say after this manner

16 All the works of the Lord are exceeding good and whatsoever he commandeth shall be accomplished in due season

17 And none may say What is this wherefore is that for at time convenient they shall all be sought out at his commandment the waters stood as an heap and at the words of his mouth the receptacles of waters

18 At his commandment is done whatsoever pleaseth him and none can hinder when he will save

19 The works of all flesh are before him and nothing can be hid from his eyes

20 He seeth from everlasting to everlasting and there is nothing wonderful before him

21 A man need not to say What is this wherefore is that for he hath made all things for their uses

22 His blessing covered the dry land as a river and watered it as a flood

23 As he hath turned the waters into saltness so shall the heathen inherit his wrath

24 As his ways are plain unto the holy so are they stumblingblocks unto the wicked

25 For the good are good things created from the beginning so evil things for sinners

26 The principal things for the whole use f man’s life are water fire iron and salt flour of wheat honey milk and the blood of the grape and oil and clothing

27 All these things are for good to the godly so to the sinners they are turned into evil

28 There be spirits that are created for vengeance which in their fury lay on sore strokes in the time of destruction they pour out their force and appease the wrath of him that made them

29 Fire and hail and famine and death all these were created for vengeance

30 Teeth of wild beasts and scorpions serpents and the sword punishing the wicked to destruction

31 They shall rejoice in his commandment and they shall be ready upon earth when need is and when their time is come they shall not transgress his word

32 Therefore from the beginning I was resolved and thought upon these things and have left them in writing

33 All the works of the Lord are good and he will give every needful thing in due season

34 So that a man cannot say This is worse than that for in time they shall all be well approved

35 And therefore praise ye the Lord with the whole heart and mouth and bless the name of the Lord