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Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 2
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Chapter 2
I.
COLLECTIONS’ OF SAYINGS
The mystery of wisdom
1
All wisdom is from the Lord, and it is his own for ever.
2
The sand of the sea and the raindrops, and the days of eternity, who can assess them?
3
The height of the sky and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss, who can probe them?
4
Before all other things wisdom was created, shrewd understanding is everlasting.
6
For whom has the root of wisdom ever been uncovered? Her resourceful ways, who knows them?
8
Only the wise, terrible indeed, seated on his throne,
9
the Lord. He himself has created her, looked on her and assessed her, and poured her out on all his works
10
to be with all mankind as his gift, and he conveyed her to those who love him.
The fear of God
11
The fear of the Lord is glory and pride, and happiness and a crown of joyfulness.
12
The fear of the Lord will gladden the heart giving happiness and joy and long life.
13
With him who fears the Lord it will be well at the last, and he will be blessed on the day of his death.
14
To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, she was created with the faithful in their mothers’ womb;
15
she has made a nest among men, an age-old foundation, and to their offspring she will cling faithfully.
16
To fear the Lord is the perfection of wisdom; she intoxicates them with her fruits;
17
she fills their whole house with their heart’s desire, and their storerooms with her produce.
18
The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom; it makes peace and health to flourish.
19
The Lord has looked on her and assessed her, he has showered down learning and discernment, and exalted the renown of those who hold her close.
20
To fear the Lord is the root of wisdom, and her branches are long life.
Patience and self-control
22
The rage of the wicked man cannot justify him, for the weight of his rage is his downfall.
23
The patient man will hold out till the time comes, but his joy will break out in the end.
24
He will hide his words till the time comes, and stories of his discernment will be on many lips.
Wisdom and uprightness
25
In wisdom’s treasuries there are learned sayings, but reverence for God is loathsome to the sinner.
26
If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord will convey her to you.
27
For wisdom and instruction mean the fear of the Lord, and what pleases him is faithfulness and gentleness.
28
Do not be unsubmissive to the fear of the Lord, do not practise it with a double heart.
29
Do not act a part in public, and keep a watch over your lips.
30
Do not raise yourself up, in case you fall and bring disgrace on yourself, for the Lord would then reveal your secrets and humiliate you before the whole community for not having attained the fear of the Lord, and for having a heart full of deceit.
The fear of God in time of ordeal
1
My son, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal.
2
Be sincere of heart, be steadfast, and do not be alarmed when disaster comes.
3
Cling to him and do not leave him, so that you may be honoured at the end of your days.
4
Whatever happens to you, accept it, and in the uncertainties of your humble state, be patient,
5
since gold is tested in the fire, and chosen men in the furnace of humiliation.
6
Trust him and he will uphold you, follow a straight path and hope in him.
7
You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; do not turn aside in case you fall
8
You who fear the Lord, trust him, and you will not be baulked of your reward
9
You who fear the Lord hope for good things, for everlasting happiness and mercy.
10
Look at the generations of old and see: who ever trusted in the Lord put to shame? Or who ever feared him steadfastly and was left forsaken? Or who ever called out to him, and was ignored?
11
For the Lord is compassionate and merciful he forgives sins, and saves in days of distress.
12
Woe to faint hearts and listless hands, and to the sinner who treads two paths.
13
Woe to the listless heart that has no faith, for such will have no protection.
14
Woe to you who have lost the will to endure; what will you do at the Lord’s visitation?
15
Those who fear the Lord do not disdain his words, and those who love him keep his ways.
16
Those who fear the Lord do their best to please him, and those who love him find satisfaction in his Law.
17
Those who fear the Lord keep their hearts prepared and humble themselves in his presence.
18
Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, not into the hands of men; for as his majesty is, so too is his mercy.
Chapters of Ecclesiasticus (Sirach)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
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