Sirach 1

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 All wisdom comes from the LORD and with him it remains forever.	1 All wisdom is from the Lord God, and has always been with him, and is before all time.
2 The sand of the seashore, the drops of rain, the days of eternity: who can number these?	2 Who has numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of the rain, and the days of the world? Who has measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss?
3 Heaven's height, earth's breadth, the depths of the abyss: who can explore these?	3 Who has examined the wisdom of God, which precedes all things?
4 Before all things else wisdom was created; and prudent understanding, from eternity.	4 Wisdom was created before all things, and the understanding of prudence is before all time.
5 To whom has wisdom's root been revealed? Who knows her subtleties?	5 The Word of God on high is the source of wisdom, whose steps are eternal commandments.
6 There is but one, wise and truly awe-inspiring, seated upon his throne:	6 To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed, and who has recognized her astuteness?
7 It is the LORD; he created her, has seen her and taken note of her.	7 To whom has the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made manifest? And who has understood the multiplicity of her steps?
8 He has poured her forth upon all his works, upon every living thing according to his bounty; he has lavished her upon his friends.	8 The most high omnipotent Creator is One, and he is the mighty King, and he is exceedingly to be feared, sitting upon his throne, and he is the sovereign God.
9 Fear of the LORD is glory and splendor, gladness and a festive crown.	9 He created wisdom through the Holy Spirit, and he saw her, and numbered her, and measured her.
10 Fear of the LORD warms the heart, giving gladness and joy and length of days.	10 And he poured her over all his works, and over all flesh, to the extent of his favor, and he has offered her to those who love him.
11 He who fears the LORD will have a happy end; even on the day of his death he will be blessed.	11 The fear of the Lord is glory, and honor, and rejoicing, and a crown of exultation.
12 The beginning of wisdom is fear of the LORD, which is formed with the faithful in the womb.	12 The fear of the Lord will delight the heart, and will give joy and gladness and length of days.
13 With devoted men was she created from of old, and with their children her beneficence abides.	13 It will be well, in the very end, for him who fears the Lord, and on the day that he passes away, he will be blessed.
14 Fullness of wisdom is fear of the LORD; she inebriates men with her fruits.	14 The love of God is honorable wisdom.
15 Her entire house she fills with choice foods, her granaries with her harvest.	15 And those to whom she will appear for their consideration love her because of what they see and know of her great works.
16 Wisdom's garland is fear of the LORD, with blossoms of peace and perfect health.	16 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and was created with the faithful in the womb, and walks with elect women, and is known by the just and the faithful.
17 Knowledge and full understanding she showers down; she heightens the glory of those who possess her.	17 The fear of the Lord is the sanctity of knowledge.
18 The root of wisdom is fear of the LORD; her branches are length of days.	18 Sanctity will guard and justify the heart, and will bestow happiness and joy.
19 One cannot justify unjust anger; anger plunges a man to his downfall.	19 It will be well with him who fears the Lord, and at the consummation of his days, he will be blessed.
20 A patient man need stand firm but for a time, and then contentment comes back to him.	20 To fear God is the fullness of wisdom, and it is a fullness from its fruits.
21 For a while he holds back his words, then the lips of many herald his wisdom.	21 She will fill her entire house from her offspring, and storehouses from her treasures.
22 Among wisdom's treasures is the paragon of prudence; but fear of the LORD is an abomination to the sinner.	22 The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom, the completion of peace, and the fruit of salvation.
23 If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the LORD will bestow her upon you;	23 And the fear of the Lord has seen and numbered wisdom; but both are gifts of God.
24 For fear of the LORD is wisdom and culture; loyal humility is his delight.	24 Wisdom will distribute knowledge and an understanding of prudence; and she lifts up the glory of those who hold to her.
25 Be not faithless to the fear of the LORD, nor approach it with duplicity of heart.	25 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and its branches are long-lived.
26 Play not the hypocrite before men; over your lips keep watch.	26 In the treasures of wisdom is understanding and the sanctity of knowledge. But to sinners, wisdom is an abomination.
27 Exalt not yourself lest you fall and bring upon you dishonor;	27 The fear of the Lord expels sin.
28 For then the LORD will reveal your secrets and publicly cast you down,	28 For he who is without fear is not able to be justified. For the disposition of his spirit is his undoing.
29 Because you approached the fear of the LORD with your heart full of guile.	29 Those who are patient will suffer for a brief time, and afterwards, happiness will return.
	30 A noble mind will hide his words for a brief time, and then the lips of many will declare his understanding.
	31 Among the treasures of wisdom is the outward sign of discipline.
	32 But to those who sin, the worship of God is an abomination.
	33 Son, if you desire wisdom, observe justice, and then God will offer her to you.
	34 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline.
	35 And what pleases him is faith and meekness. And so shall he complete his treasures.
	36 You should not be incredulous to the fear of the Lord. And you should not draw close to him with a duplicitous heart.
	37 You should not be a hypocrite in the sight of men. And you should not scandalize with your lips.
	38 Attend to these things, otherwise you may fall and bring dishonor to your soul.
	39 And then God may uncover your secrets, and he may cast you down forcefully in the midst of the congregation.
	40 For you drew near to the Lord wickedly, and your heart was filled with deceit and falseness.