God's New Revelations

The Book of Jesus Sirach

Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic

 Back | Contents | Next 

- Chapter 1 -

All wisdom is from God, and is given to them that fear and love God.

1
All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him, and is before all time.
2
Who hath numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of the world? Who hath measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss?
3
Who hath searched out the wisdom of God that goeth before all things?
4
Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.
5
The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdom, and her ways are everlasting commandments.
6
To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed, and who hath known her wise counsels?
7
To whom hath the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made manifest? and who hath understood the multiplicity of her steps?
8
There is one most high Creator Almighty, and a powerful king, and greatly to be feared, who sitteth upon his throne, and is the God of dominion.
9
He created her in the Holy Ghost, and saw her, and numbered her, and measured her.
10
And he poured her out upon all his works, and upon all flesh according to his gift, and hath given her to them that love him.
11
The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of joy.
12
The fear of the Lord shall delight the heart, and shall give joy, and gladness, and length of days.
13
With him that feareth the Lord, it shall go well in the latter end, and in the day of his death he shall be blessed.
14
The love of God is honourable wisdom.
15
Ana they to whom she shall shew herself love her by the sight, and by the knowledge of her great works.
16
The fear of the Lord Is the beginning of wisdom, and was created with the faithful in the womb, it walketh with chosen women, and is known with the just and faithful.
17
The fear of the Lord is the religiousness of knowledge.
18
Religiousness shall keep and justify the heart, it shall give joy and gladness.
19
It shall go well with him that feareth the Lord, and in the days of his end he shall be blessed.
20
To fear God is the fulness of wisdom, and fulness is from the fruits thereof.
21
She shall fill all her house with her increase, and the storehouses with her treasures.
22
The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, filling up peace and the fruit of salvation:
23
And it hath seen, and numbered her: but both are the gifts of God.
24
Wisdom shall distribute knowledge, and understanding of prudence: and exalteth the glory of them that hold her.
25
The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord: and the branches thereof are longlived.
26
In the treasures of wisdom is understanding, and religiousness of knowledge: but to sinners wisdom is an abomination.
27
The fear of the Lord driveth out sin:
28
For he that is without fear, cannot be justified: for the wrath of his high spirits is his ruin.
29
A patient man shall bear for a time, and afterwards joy shall be restored to him.
30
A good understanding will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.
31
In the treasures of wisdom is the signification of discipline:
32
But the worship of God is an abomination to a sinner.
33
Son, if thou desire wisdom, keep justice, and God will give her to thee.
34
For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline: and that which is agreeable to him,
35
Is faith, and meekness: and he will fill up his treasures.
36
Be not incredulous to the fear of the Lord: and come not to him with a double heart.
37
Be not a hypocrite in the sight of men, and let not thy lips be a stumblingblock to thee.
38
Watch over them, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul,
39
And God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation.
40
Because thou camest to the Lord wickedly, and thy heart is full of guile and deceit.

All wisdom is from God, and is given to them that fear and love God.

1
All wisdom comes from the Lord, and is with him forever.
2
Who can count the sand of the seas, the drops of rain, and the days of eternity?
3
Who will search out the height of the sky, the breadth of the earth, the deep, and wisdom?
4
Wisdom has been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.
5
(a)
6
To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed? Who has known her shrewd counsels?
7
(b)
8
There is one wise, greatly to be feared, sitting upon his throne: the Lord.
9
He created her. He saw and measured her. He poured her out upon all his works.
10
She is with all flesh according to his gift. He gave her freely to those who love him.
11
The fear of the Lord is glory, exultation, gladness, and a crown of rejoicing.
12
The fear of the Lord will delight the heart, and will give gladness, joy, and length of days.
13
Whoever fears the Lord, it will go well with him at the last. He will be blessed in the day of his death.
14
To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It was created together with the faithful in the womb.
15
She(c) laid an eternal foundation with men. She will be trusted among their offspring.
16
To fear the Lord is the fullness of wisdom. She inebriates men with her fruits.
17
She will fill all her house with desirable things, and her storehouses with her produce.
18
The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom, making peace and(d) perfect health to flourish.(e)
19
He both saw and measured her. He rained down skill and knowledge of understanding, and exalted the honor of those who hold her fast.
20
To fear the Lord is the root of wisdom. Her branches are length of days.
21
(f)
22
Unjust wrath can never be justified, for his wrath tips the scale to his downfall.
23
A man that is patient will resist for a season, and afterward gladness will spring up to him.
24
He will hide his words until the right moment, and the lips of many will tell of his understanding.
25
A wise saying is in the treasures of wisdom; but godliness is an abomination to a sinner.
26
If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments and the Lord will give her to you freely;
27
for the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction. Faith and humility are his good pleasure.
28
Don’t disobey the fear of the Lord. Don’t come to him with a double heart.
29
Don’t be a hypocrite in men’s sight. Keep watch over your lips.
30
Don’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.

Footnotes

(a)1:5 Verse 5 is omitted by the best authorities: The source of wisdom is God’s word in the highest heaven, and her ways are the eternal commandments.
(b)1:7 Verse 7 is omitted by the best authorities: To whom was the knowledge of wisdom manifested? Who has understood her abundant experience?
(c)1:15 Gr. nested.
(d)1:18 Gr. health of cure.
(e)1:18 The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities: Both are gifts of God for peace; glory opens out for those who love him. He saw her and took her measure.
(f)1:21 Verse 21 is omitted by the best authorities: The fear of the Lord drives away sins. Where it resides, it will turn away all anger.