Ben Sira 14:18-20
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
18 As with the leaves growing on a luxuriant tree—
one falls off and another sprouts—
So with the generations of flesh and blood:
one dies and another flourishes.(A)
19 All human deeds surely perish;
the works they do follow after them.
The Search for Wisdom and Her Blessings[a]
20 Happy those who meditate on Wisdom,
and fix their gaze on knowledge;(B)
Footnotes
- 14:20–15:10 This poem charts the growing intimacy between those seeking Wisdom and Wisdom herself. They move from static reflection to playful pursuit, from camping outside the walls of her house to nesting inside her leafy shade. Ben Sira portrays Wisdom as both mother and bride, a feminine figure who is the fullness of womanhood according to his androcentric society.
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