Sirach 14:19-27

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

¹⁹ Every work decays and ceases to exist,
    and the one who made it will pass away with it.

²⁰ Happy is the person who meditates on^[a] wisdom
    and reasons intelligently,
²¹ who^[b] reflects in his heart on her ways
    and ponders her secrets,
²² pursuing her like a hunter,
    and lying in wait on her paths;
²³ who peers through her windows
    and listens at her doors;
²⁴ who camps near her house
    and fastens his tent peg to her walls;
²⁵ who pitches his tent near her,
    and so occupies an excellent lodging place;
²⁶ who places his children under her shelter,
    and lodges under her boughs;
²⁷ who is sheltered by her from the heat,
    and dwells in the midst of her glory.