Sirach, Chapter 24
1
Wisdom praises her own soul, And is honored in the midst of her people.
2
She opens her mouth in the assembly of the Most High, And is honored in the presence of his hosts.
3
"I came forth from the mouth of the Most High, And as a mist I covered the earth.
4
In the high places I fixed my abode, And my throne was in the pillar of cloud.
5
Alone I compassed the circuit of heaven, And in the depth of the abyss I walked.
6
In the waves of the sea, and in all the earth, And in every people and nation I gained a possession.
7
With all these I sought a resting place, And [said], In whose inheritance shall I lodge?
8
Then the Creator of all things gave me a commandment, And he who created me fixed my dwelling place, And he said, In Jacob let your dwelling place be, And in Israel take up your inheritance.
9
He created me from the beginning, before the world; And I will never fail.
10
In the holy tabernacle I ministered before him, Moreover, in Zion I was established.
11
Likewise in the beloved city he caused me to rest, And in Jerusalem was my authority.
12
And I took root among an honored people, In the portion of the Lord, and of his inheritance.
13
I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, And like a cypress on the mountains of Hermon.
14
I was exalted like a palm tree on the seashore, And as rose plants in Jericho; And as a fair olive tree in the plain; Yes, I was exalted as a sycamore tree by the waters.
15
As cassia and camel's thorn I have given a scent of perfumes, And as choice myrrh I spread abroad a pleasant odor; As galbanum, and onyx, and stacte; [I was] as the smoke of incense in the Tabernacle.
16
I, as a terebinth, spread forth my branches, And my branches were branches of glory and grace.
17
As a vine I put forth grace, And my flowers are the fruit of glory and wealth.
19
Come to me, you+ who desire me, And be+ filled with my produce.
20
For my memorial is sweeter than honey, And the possession of me than honeycomb.
21
Those who eat me still hunger [for me], And those who drink me still thirst [for me].
22
He who obeys me will not be ashamed, And those who serve me will not commit sin."
23
All these things are the book of the covenant of God Most High, The law which Moses commanded [as] a heritage for the assemblies of Jacob.
25
Which fills [men] with wisdom, like Pison, And like Tigris in the days of new [fruits];
26
Which overflows, like Euphrates, with understanding, And as Jordan in the days of harvest;
27
Which pours forth, as the Nile, instruction, And as Gihon in the days of vintage.
28
The first [man] did not know her perfectly, So also the last will not trace her out;
29
For her understanding is more abundant than the sea, And her counsel is greater than the deep.
30
And as for me, I [was] as a stream from the river, And I came forth as a conduit into a garden;
31
I said, "I will water my garden, I will abundantly water my garden beds"; And look, my stream became a river, And my river became a sea.
32
Yet again I will bring instruction to light as the morning, And will make these things shine forth afar off.
33
Yet again I will pour forth doctrine as prophecy, And leave it for eternal generations.
34
Look+ [and see], that I have not labored for myself only, But for all those who diligently seek her.
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