Sirach 1

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
1 All wisdom is from the Lord God, and has always been with him, and is before all time.	1 All wisdom comes from the Lord and is with him for ever.
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?	2 The sand of the sea, the drops of rain, and the days of eternity--who can count them?
3 Who has examined the wisdom of God, which precedes all things?	3 The height of heaven, the breadth of the earth, the abyss, and wisdom--who can search them out?
4 Wisdom was created before all things, and the understanding of prudence is before all time.	4 Wisdom was created before all things, and prudent understanding from eternity.
5 The Word of God on high is the source of wisdom, whose steps are eternal commandments.	5 .
6 To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed, and who has recognized her astuteness?	6 The root of wisdom--to whom has it been revealed? Her clever devices--who knows them?
7 To whom has the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made manifest? And who has understood the multiplicity of her steps?	7 .
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.	8 There is One who is wise, greatly to be feared, sitting upon his throne.
9 He created wisdom through the Holy Spirit, and he saw her, and numbered her, and measured her.	9 The Lord himself created wisdom; he saw her and apportioned her, he poured her out upon all his works.
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.	10 She dwells with all flesh according to his gift, and he supplied her to those who love him.
11 The fear of the Lord is glory, and honor, and rejoicing, and a crown of exultation.	11 The fear of the Lord is glory and exultation, and gladness and a crown of rejoicing.
12 The fear of the Lord will delight the heart, and will give joy and gladness and length of days.	12 The fear of the Lord delights the heart, and gives gladness and joy and long life.
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.	13 With him who fears the Lord it will go well at the end; on the day of his death he will be blessed.
14 The love of God is honorable wisdom.	14 To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom she is created with the faithful in the womb.
15 And those to whom she will appear for their consideration love her because of what they see and know of her great works.	15 She made among men an eternal foundation, and among their descendants she will be trusted.
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.	16 To fear the Lord is wisdom's full measure; she satisfies men with her fruits;
17 The fear of the Lord is the sanctity of knowledge.	17 she fills their whole house with desirable goods, and their storehouses with her produce.
18 Sanctity will guard and justify the heart, and will bestow happiness and joy.	18 The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish.
19 It will be well with him who fears the Lord, and at the consummation of his days, he will be blessed.	19 He saw her and apportioned her; he rained down knowledge and discerning comprehension, and he exalted the glory of those who held her fast.
20 To fear God is the fullness of wisdom, and it is a fullness from its fruits.	20 To fear the Lord is the root of wisdom, and her branches are long life.
21 She will fill her entire house from her offspring, and storehouses from her treasures.	21 .
22 The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom, the completion of peace, and the fruit of salvation.	22 Unrighteous anger cannot be justified, for a man's anger tips the scale to his ruin.
23 And the fear of the Lord has seen and numbered wisdom; but both are gifts of God.	23 A patient man will endure until the right moment, and then joy will burst forth for him.
24 Wisdom will distribute knowledge and an understanding of prudence; and she lifts up the glory of those who hold to her.	24 He will hide his words until the right moment, and the lips of many will tell of his good sense.
25 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and its branches are long-lived.	25 In the treasuries of wisdom are wise sayings, but godliness is an abomination to a sinner.
26 In the treasures of wisdom is understanding and the sanctity of knowledge. But to sinners, wisdom is an abomination.	26 If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord will supply it for you.
27 The fear of the Lord expels sin.	27 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction, and he delights in fidelity and meekness.
28 For he who is without fear is not able to be justified. For the disposition of his spirit is his undoing.	28 Do not disobey the fear of the Lord; do not approach him with a divided mind.
29 Those who are patient will suffer for a brief time, and afterwards, happiness will return.	29 Be not a hypocrite in men's sight, and keep watch over your lips.
30 A noble mind will hide his words for a brief time, and then the lips of many will declare his understanding.	30 Do not exalt yourself lest you fall, and thus bring dishonor upon yourself. The Lord will reveal your secrets and cast you down in the midst of the congregation, because you did not come in the fear of the Lord, and your heart was full of deceit.
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.