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Ben Sira 14:20-15:6
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Ben Sira 14:20-15:6
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
The Search for Wisdom and Her Blessings[a]
20 Happy those who meditate on Wisdom,
and fix their gaze on knowledge;(A)
21 Who ponder her ways in their heart,
and understand her paths;
22 Who pursue her like a scout,
and watch at her entry way;
23 Who peep through her windows,
and listen at her doors;
24 Who encamp near her house
and fasten their tent pegs next to her walls;
25 Who pitch their tent beside her,
and dwell in a good place;[b]
26 [c]Who build their nest in her leaves,
and lodge in her branches;
27 Who take refuge from the heat in her shade
and dwell in her home.
Chapter 15
1 Whoever fears the Lord will do this;
whoever is practiced in the Law will come to Wisdom.
2 She will meet him like a mother;
like a young bride she will receive him,
3 [d]She will feed him with the bread of learning,
and give him the water of understanding to drink.(B)
4 He will lean upon her and not fall;
he will trust in her and not be put to shame.
5 She will exalt him above his neighbors,
and in the assembly she will make him eloquent.
6 Joy and gladness he will find,
and an everlasting name he will inherit.(C)
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.
- 14:25 In a good place: i.e., where Wisdom dwells.
- 14:26–27 The shift in imagery creates a more intimate relationship. Those seeking Wisdom dwell within her as a bird nests within a leafy tree.
- 15:3–6 In this role reversal Woman Wisdom teaches, nourishes, supports, and protects the vulnerable man. For similar imagery cf. Prv 8:4–21, 34–35; 9:1–5; 31:10–31.
Sirach 14:20-15:6
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Sirach 14:20-15:6
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
The Happiness of Seeking Wisdom
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.
15 Whoever fears the Lord will do this,
and whoever holds to the law will obtain wisdom.[c]
2 She will come to meet him like a mother,
and like a young bride she will welcome him.
3 She will feed him with the bread of learning,
and give him the water of wisdom to drink.
4 He will lean on her and not fall,
and he will rely on her and not be put to shame.
5 She will exalt him above his neighbors,
and will open his mouth in the midst of the assembly.
6 He will find gladness and a crown of rejoicing,
and will inherit an everlasting name.
Footnotes
- Sirach 14:20 Other ancient authorities read dies in
- Sirach 14:21 The structure adopted in verses 21–27 follows the Heb
- Sirach 15:1 Gk her
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
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New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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