Sirach 39

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Not so with one who concentrates his mind and his meditation on the Law of the Most High. Heresearches into the wisdom of al the Ancients, he occupies his time with the prophecies.	1 A wise man will seek the wisdom of all the ancients, and he will be occupied in the prophets.
2 He preserves the discourses of famous men, he is at home with the niceties of parables.	2 He will preserve the words of renowned men, and he will enter with them into the subtleties of parables.
3 He researches into the hidden sense of proverbs, he ponders the obscurities of parables.	3 He will search for the hidden meanings of proverbs, and he will become familiar with the mysteries of parables.
4 He enters the service of princes, he is seen in the presence of rulers. He travels in foreign countries, hehas experienced human good and human evil.	4 He will minister in the midst of great men, and he will appear in the sight of the foremost leader.
5 At dawn and with al his heart he turns to the Lord his Creator; he pleads in the presence of the MostHigh, he opens his mouth in prayer and makes entreaty for his sins.	5 He will pass through the land of foreign nations. For he will test good and evil among men.
6 If such be the wil of the great Lord, he wil be filled with the spirit of intel igence, he wil shower forthwords of wisdom, and in prayer give thanks to the Lord.	6 At first light, he will offer his heart with watchfulness to the Lord who made him, and he will pray in the sight of the Most High.
7 He will grow upright in purpose and learning, he will ponder the Lord's hidden mysteries.	7 He will open his mouth in prayer, and he will make supplication for his offenses.
8 He will display the instruction he has received, taking his pride in the Law of the Lord's covenant.	8 For if the great Lord is willing, he will fill him with the Spirit of understanding.
9 Many wil praise his intel igence and it wil never be forgotten. His memory will not disappear,generation after generation his name will live.	9 And he will send forth the eloquence of his wisdom like rain showers, and in his prayer, he will confess to the Lord.
10 Nations wil proclaim his wisdom, the assembly will celebrate his praises.	10 And he will direct his counsel and his discipline, and he will meditate on his mysteries.
11 If he lives long, his name will be more glorious than a thousand others, and if he dies, that wil satisfyhim just as wel .	11 He will make the discipline of his doctrine clear, and he will glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord.
12 And here are some more of my reflections: yes, I am as ful as the moon at the ful !	12 Many persons will together praise his wisdom, and it will never be abolished, for all ages.
13 Listen to me, devout children, and blossom like the rose that grows on the bank of a watercourse.	13 The memory of him will not fade away, and his name will be sought from generation to generation.
14 Give off a sweet smel like incense, flower like the lily, spread your fragrance abroad, sing a song ofpraise blessing the Lord for all his works.	14 The peoples will declare his wisdom, and the Church will announce his praise.
15 Declare the greatness of his name, proclaim his praise with song and with lyre, and this is how youmust sing his praises:	15 While he remains, he leaves behind a name greater than a thousand, and when he will rest, it will be to his benefit.
16 'How wonderful, the actions of the Lord! Whatever he orders is done at the proper time!' You must notsay, 'What is this? Why is that?' There is a proper time for every question.	16 I will meditate further, so that I may explain. For I have been filled with a passion.
17 At his word, the water stops and piles up high, at his voice, the watery reservoirs take shape,	17 In a voice, he says: Listen to me, divine fruits. You shall bear fruit, like roses planted beside streams of waters.
18 at his command, whatever he wants is done, no one can stop him, if he intends to save.	18 You shall have a sweet fragrance, like the cedars of Lebanon.
19 He can see whatever human beings are doing, nothing can be hidden from his eye;	19 Blossom with flowers, like the lily, and diffuse a fragrance, and sprout leaves in grace, and give praise with canticles, and bless the Lord in his works.
20 his gaze stretches from eternity to eternity, and nothing can astonish him.	20 Give magnificence to his name, and confess to him with the voice of your lips and with the canticles of your mouth and with stringed instruments. And in so praising him, you will confess:
21 You must not say, 'What is this? Why is that?' for everything has been made for a purpose.	21 All the works of the Lord are very good.
22 As his blessing covers the dry land like a river and soaks it like a flood,	22 At his word, the waters stood still, as if piled together. And at the words of his mouth, the waters were contained, as if in basins of water.
23 so retribution is his legacy to the nations, just as he has turned fresh waters to salt.	23 For it is made pleasing by his precept, and there is no decrease in his salvation.
24 His ways are as smooth for the devout, as they are ful of obstacles for the wicked.	24 The works of all flesh are in his sight, and there is nothing hidden from his eyes.
25 Good things were created from the beginning for good people, as bad ones were for sinners.	25 His gaze is from eternity to eternity, and nothing is a wonder in his sight.
26 The prime needs of human beings for living are water and fire, iron and salt, wheat-flour, milk andhoney, the juice of the grape, oil and clothing.	26 Let it not be said: “What is this?” or, “What is that?” For all things will be sought in their time.
27 Al these are good for those who are good, but turn out bad for sinners.	27 His blessing has overflowed like a river.
28 Some winds have been created for punishing, in his fury, he uses them as scourges; on the day ofdoom, they unleash their violence and appease the wrath of their Creator.	28 In the same way that a flood inundates the dry land, so also will his wrath inherit the peoples that have not sought him.
29 Fire and hail, famine and death, have al been created for punishing.	29 In the same way that he turned the waters into dry land, and made the earth dry, and just as his ways have been directed for their journey, so also will sinners stumble before his wrath.
30 Wild animals' fangs, scorpions, vipers, the avenging sword for the ruin of the godless:	30 From the beginning, good things were created for those who are good, and similarly, good and evil things are for those who are wicked.
31 all of them exult in discharging his orders, ready on earth whenever the need arises and, when theirtime comes, not fal ing short of his word.	31 The principal things necessary for the life of men are: water, fire, and iron, salt, milk, and flour for bread, and honey, and the grape cluster, and oil, and clothing.
32 That is why I was determined from the outset, why I have pondered and why I have written,	32 All these things will be used for good by those who are holy, but they will be turned to evil use by the impious and by sinners.
33 'The works of the Lord are all good, when the time is right, he gives whatever is needed.	33 There are spirits that have been created for vengeance, and they strengthen their torments by their fury.
34 You must not say, "This is worse than that," for, sooner or later, everything proves its worth.	34 In the time of the consummation, they will pour forth their strength. And they will appease the fury of the One who made them.
35 So now, sing with al your heart and voice, and bless the name of the Lord!'	35 Fire, hail, famine, and death: all these were created for vengeance.
	36 The teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions, and serpents, and the spear: all these take vengeance upon the impious, unto utter destruction.
	37 At his command, they will feast. And they will be prepared upon the earth until they are needed. And in their time, they will not ignore his word.
	38 For this reason, from the beginning, I was strengthened, and I have meditated, and I have considered, and I have put these things in writing.
	39 All the works of the Lord are good, and he will provide for each work in its own hour.
	40 Let it not be said: “This is worse than that.” For all things will be tested in their time.
	41 And now, with the whole heart and mouth, give praise to him, and bless the name of the Lord.