Sirach 24

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
1 Wisdom sings her own praises, before her own people she proclaims her glory;	1 Wisdom will praise herself, and will glory in the midst of her people.
2 In the assembly of the Most High she opens her mouth, in the presence of his hosts she declares her worth:	2 In the assembly of the Most High she will open her mouth, and in the presence of his host she will glory:
3 "From the mouth of the Most High I came forth, and mistlike covered the earth.	3 "I came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and covered the earth like a mist.
4 In the highest heavens did I dwell, my throne on a pillar of cloud.	4 I dwelt in high places, and my throne was in a pillar of cloud.
5 The vault of heaven I compassed alone, through the deep abyss I wandered.	5 Alone I have made the circuit of the vault of heaven and have walked in the depths of the abyss.
6 Over waves of the sea, over all the land, over every people and nation I held sway.	6 In the waves of the sea, in the whole earth, and in every people and nation I have gotten a possession.
7 Among all these I sought a resting place; in whose inheritance should I abide?	7 Among all these I sought a resting place; I sought in whose territory I might lodge.
8 "Then the Creator of all gave me his command, and he who formed me chose the spot for my tent, Saying, 'In Jacob make your dwelling, in Israel your inheritance.'	8 Then the Creator of all things gave me a commandment, and the one who created me assigned a place for my tent. And he said, 'Make your dwelling in Jacob, and in Israel receive your inheritance.'
9 Before all ages, in the beginning, he created me, and through all ages I shall not cease to be.	9 From eternity, in the beginning, he created me, and for eternity I shall not cease to exist.
10 In the holy tent I ministered before him, and in Zion I fixed my abode.	10 In the holy tabernacle I ministered before him, and so I was established in Zion.
11 Thus in the chosen city he has given me rest, in Jerusalem is my domain.	11 In the beloved city likewise he gave me a resting place, and in Jerusalem was my dominion.
12 I have struck root among the glorious people, in the portion of the LORD, his heritage.	12 So I took root in an honored people, in the portion of the Lord, who is their inheritance.
13 "Like a cedar on Lebanon I am raised aloft, like a cypress on Mount Hermon,	13 I grew tall like a cedar in Lebanon, and like a cypress on the heights of Hermon.
14 Like a palm tree in En-gedi, like a rosebush in Jericho, Like a fair olive tree in the field, like a plane tree growing beside the water.	14 I grew tall like a palm tree in En-ge'di, and like rose plants in Jericho; like a beautiful olive tree in the field, and like a plane tree I grew tall.
15 Like cinnamon, or fragrant balm, or precious myrrh, I give forth perfume; Like galbanum and onycha and sweet spices, like the odor of incense in the holy place.	15 Like cassia and camel's thorn I gave forth the aroma of spices, and like choice myrrh I spread a pleasant odor, like galbanum, onycha, and stacte, and like the fragrance of frankincense in the tabernacle.
16 I spread out my branches like a terebinth, my branches so bright and so graceful.	16 Like a terebinth I spread out my branches, and my branches are glorious and graceful.
17 I bud forth delights like the vine, my blossoms become fruit fair and rich.	17 Like a vine I caused loveliness to bud, and my blossoms became glorious and abundant fruit.
18 Come to me, all you that yearn for me, and be filled with my fruits;	18 .
19 You will remember me as sweeter than honey, better to have than the honeycomb.	19 "Come to me, you who desire me, and eat your fill of my produce.
20 He who eats of me will hunger still, he who drinks of me will thirst for more;	20 For the remembrance of me is sweeter than honey, and my inheritance sweeter than the honeycomb.
21 He who obeys me will not be put to shame, he who serves me will never fail."	21 Those who eat me will hunger for more, and those who drink me will thirst for more.
22 All this is true of the book of the Most High's covenant, the law which Moses commanded us as an inheritance for the community of Jacob.	22 Whoever obeys me will not be put to shame, and those who work with my help will not sin."
23 It overflows, like the Pishon, with wisdom-- like the Tigris in the days of the new fruits.	23 All this is the book of the covenant of the Most High God, the law which Moses commanded us as an inheritance for the congregations of Jacob.
24 It runs over, like the Euphrates, with understanding, like the Jordan at harvest time.	24 .
25 It sparkles like the Nile with knowledge, like the Gihon at vintage time.	25 It fills men with wisdom, like the Pishon, and like the Tigris at the time of the first fruits.
26 The first man never finished comprehending wisdom, nor will the last succeed in fathoming her.	26 It makes them full of understanding, like the Euphrates, and like the Jordan at harvest time.
27 For deeper than the sea are her thoughts; her counsels, than the great abyss.	27 It makes instruction shine forth like light, like the Gihon at the time of vintage.
28 Now I, like a rivulet from her stream, channeling the waters into a garden,	28 Just as the first man did not know her perfectly, the last one has not fathomed her;
29 Said to myself, "I will water my plants, my flower bed I will drench"; And suddenly this rivulet of mine became a river, then this stream of mine, a sea.	29 for her thought is more abundant than the sea, and her counsel deeper than the great abyss.
30 Thus do I send my teachings forth shining like the dawn, to become known afar off.	30 I went forth like a canal from a river and like a water channel into a garden.
31 Thus do I pour out instruction like prophecy and bestow it on generations to come.	31 I said, "I will water my orchard and drench my garden plot"; and lo, my canal became a river, and my river became a sea.
	32 I will again make instruction shine forth like the dawn, and I will make it shine afar;
	33 I will again pour out teaching like prophecy, and leave it to all future generations.
	34 Observe that I have not labored for myself alone, but for all who seek instruction.