Old Testament

New Testament

Sirach 24:10-28 Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

10. and in every nation, I have held primacy.

11. And by virtue, I have tread upon the hearts of all, the great and the lowly. And I have sought my rest in all of them. And I will continue, as the inheritance of the Lord.

12. Then the Creator of all things instructed and spoke with me. And the One who created me rested in my tabernacle.

13. And he said to me: 'Let your dwelling place be with Jacob, and let your inheritance be in Israel, for you shall take root among my elect.'

14. From the beginning, and before the world, I was created. And even unto the future world, I will not cease to exist. For I have ministered before him in the holy habitation.

15. And in this way, I was established in Zion. And likewise, in the holy city, I found rest. And my authority was in Jerusalem.

16. And I took root among an honorable people, within the portion of my God, within his inheritance. And so my abode is in the full assembly of the saints.

17. I was exalted like a cedar in Lebanon and like a cypress on Mount Zion.

18. I was exalted like a palm tree in Kadesh and like a rose bush in Jericho.

19. I was exalted like a beautiful olive tree in the plains, and like a sycamore tree beside the waters along a wide road.

20. I gave off an aromatic fragrance like cinnamon or balsam. I produced a sweet odor like the best myrrh.

21. And I perfumed my dwelling place with sweet gum, and aromatic resin, and flower petals, and aloe, as well as the finest cedar from Lebanon. And my fragrance is like undiluted balsam.

22. I have extended my branches like a terebinth tree, and my branches are of honor and grace.

23. Like the vine, I have born the fruit of a sweet fragrance. And my flowers are the fruit of honor and integrity.

24. I am the mother of the beauty of love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope.

25. All grace of the way and of the truth is in me. All hope of life and of virtue is in me.

26. Journey toward me, all you who desire me, and be filled by my harvest.

27. For my spirit is sweeter than honey, and my inheritance is better than honey and the honeycomb.

28. My memory is for the generations of all ages.

Read complete chapter Sirach 24