Chapters

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
  12. 12
  13. 13
  14. 14
  15. 15
  16. 16
  17. 17
  18. 18
  19. 19
  20. 20
  21. 21
  22. 22
  23. 23
  24. 24
  25. 25
  26. 26
  27. 27
  28. 28
  29. 29
  30. 30
  31. 31
  32. 32
  33. 33
  34. 34
  35. 35
  36. 36
  37. 37
  38. 38
  39. 39
  40. 40
  41. 41
  42. 42
  43. 43
  44. 44
  45. 45
  46. 46
  47. 47
  48. 48
  49. 49
  50. 50
  51. 51

Old Testament

New Testament

Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 1 Good News Bible Catholic Edition (GNBDK)

In Praise of Wisdom

1. All wisdom comes from the Lord,and Wisdom is with him for ever.

2. Who can count raindrops or the sand along the shore?Who can count the days of eternity?

3. How high is the sky? How wide is the earth?How deep is the ocean? How profound is Wisdom?Can anyone find answers to these questions?

4. Wisdom was created before anything else;understanding has always existed.

6. Has anyone ever been shown where Wisdom originates?Does anyone understand her subtle cleverness?

8. There is only one who is wise,and we must stand in awe before his throne.

9. The Lord himself created Wisdom;he saw her and recognized her value,and so he filled everything he made with Wisdom.

10. He gave some measure of Wisdom to everyone,but poured her out on those who love him.

11. If you fear the Lord, honour and pride will be yours;you will be crowned with happiness and joy.

12. To honour the Lord is a heartfelt delight;it will give you a long and happy life,

13. and at the end of your days all will go well for you.God will bless you on the day of your death.

14. To fear the Lord is the first step to Wisdom.Wisdom is given to the faithful in their mothers' wombs.

15. She has lived with us from ancient times,and generations to come will rely on her.

16. To fear the Lord is Wisdom at her fullest;she satisfies us completely with her gifts

17. and fills our homes and barnswith all that our hearts can desire.

18. To fear the Lord is the flower of Wisdomthat blossoms with peace and good health.

19. She sends knowledge and understanding like the rain,and increases the honour of those who receive her.

20. To fear the Lord is the root of Wisdom;her branches are long life.

Self-control

22. There is no excuse for unjustified anger; it can bring about your downfall.

23. Wait and be patient, and later you will be glad you did.

24. Keep quiet until the right time to speak, and you will gain a reputation for good sense.

Wisdom and Reverence for God

25. Wisdom has a treasury of wise sayings, but sinners have nothing but contempt for godliness.

26. If you want to be wise, keep the Lord's commands, and he will give you Wisdom in abundance.

27. Fearing the Lord is Wisdom and an education in itself. He is pleased by loyalty and humility.

28. Be faithful in the practice of your religion; when you worship the Lord, do it with all your heart.

29. Be careful about what you say, and don't be a hypocrite.

30. Don't be arrogant; you may suffer a fall and be disgraced. The Lord will reveal your secrets and humble you in front of everyone in the synagogue, because you did not come there with reverence for the Lord, but with a heart full of hypocrisy.