Sirach 39:1-10

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

39 They seek out the wisdom of all the ancients
    and are concerned with prophecies;^(A)
2 they preserve the sayings of the famous
    and penetrate the subtleties of parables;
³ they seek out the hidden meanings of proverbs
    and are at home with the obscurities of parables.^(B)
4 They serve among the great
    and appear before rulers;
they travel in foreign nations
    and learn what is good and evil in the human lot.^(C)
5 They set their hearts to rise early
    to seek the Lord who made them
    and to petition the Most High;
they open their mouths in prayer
    and ask pardon for their sins.^(D)

⁶ If the great Lord is willing,
    they will be filled with the spirit of understanding;
they will pour forth words of wisdom of their own
    and give thanks to the Lord in prayer.^(E)
7 The Lord^[a] will direct their counsel and knowledge
    as they meditate on his mysteries.^(F)
8 They will show the discipline of their training
    and will glory in the law of the Lord’s covenant.
⁹ Many will praise their understanding;
    it will never be blotted out.
Their memory will not disappear,
    and their names will live through all generations.^(G)
10 Nations will speak of their wisdom,
    and the congregation will proclaim their praise.^(H)