Sirach 39
1 will seek out the wisdom of all the
ancients, 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 on 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 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 stumbling-blocks 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 of 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 shall rejoice in his commandment,
and they shall be ready upon earth, when need is; and when their time is come,
they shall not go beyond 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.