Ben Sira 6:18-31
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Blessings of Wisdom[a]
18 My child, from your youth choose discipline;
and when you have gray hair you will find wisdom.
19 As though plowing and sowing, draw close to her;
then wait for her bountiful crops.
For in cultivating her you will work but little,
and soon you will eat her fruit.
20 She is rough ground to the fool!
The stupid cannot abide her.
21 She will be like a burdensome stone to them,
and they will not delay in casting her aside.
22 For discipline[b] is like her name,
she is not accessible to many.
23 Listen, my child, and take my advice;
do not refuse my counsel.
24 Put your feet into her fetters,
and your neck under her yoke.
25 Bend your shoulders and carry her
and do not be irked at her bonds.
26 With all your soul draw close to her;
and with all your strength keep her ways.
27 Inquire and search, seek and find;
when you get hold of her, do not let her go.
28 Thus at last you will find rest in her,
and she will become your joy.
29 Her fetters will be a place of strength;
her snare, a robe of spun gold.
30 Her yoke will be a gold ornament;(A)
her bonds, a purple cord.
31 You will wear her as a robe of glory,
and bear her as a splendid crown.
Footnotes
- 6:18–37 The various figures in each of the eight stanzas urge the search for wisdom through patience (vv. 18–19), persistence (vv. 20–22), docility and perseverance (vv. 23–28). Wisdom bestows rich rewards (vv. 29–31) on those who apply themselves and learn from the wise (vv. 32–36). Although one must strive for wisdom, it is God who grants it (v. 37). Cf. 4:11–19.
- 6:22 Discipline: musar (in the sense of wisdom) is a perfect homonym for musar, “removed, withdrawn”; thus the path of discipline is not accessible to many.
Ben Sira 6:18-31
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Blessings of Wisdom[a]
18 My child, from your youth choose discipline;
and when you have gray hair you will find wisdom.
19 As though plowing and sowing, draw close to her;
then wait for her bountiful crops.
For in cultivating her you will work but little,
and soon you will eat her fruit.
20 She is rough ground to the fool!
The stupid cannot abide her.
21 She will be like a burdensome stone to them,
and they will not delay in casting her aside.
22 For discipline[b] is like her name,
she is not accessible to many.
23 Listen, my child, and take my advice;
do not refuse my counsel.
24 Put your feet into her fetters,
and your neck under her yoke.
25 Bend your shoulders and carry her
and do not be irked at her bonds.
26 With all your soul draw close to her;
and with all your strength keep her ways.
27 Inquire and search, seek and find;
when you get hold of her, do not let her go.
28 Thus at last you will find rest in her,
and she will become your joy.
29 Her fetters will be a place of strength;
her snare, a robe of spun gold.
30 Her yoke will be a gold ornament;(A)
her bonds, a purple cord.
31 You will wear her as a robe of glory,
and bear her as a splendid crown.
Footnotes
- 6:18–37 The various figures in each of the eight stanzas urge the search for wisdom through patience (vv. 18–19), persistence (vv. 20–22), docility and perseverance (vv. 23–28). Wisdom bestows rich rewards (vv. 29–31) on those who apply themselves and learn from the wise (vv. 32–36). Although one must strive for wisdom, it is God who grants it (v. 37). Cf. 4:11–19.
- 6:22 Discipline: musar (in the sense of wisdom) is a perfect homonym for musar, “removed, withdrawn”; thus the path of discipline is not accessible to many.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.