Sirach 14:20-27
Good News Translation
The Happiness of Having Wisdom
20 (A)It is a happy person who is concerned with Wisdom and who uses good sense. 21 Anyone who studies the ways of Wisdom will also learn her secrets. 22 Go after Wisdom like a hunter looking for game. 23 Look into her windows and listen at her doors. 24 Camp as close to her house as you can get, 25 and you will have a fine place to live. 26-27 Build your home there, safe beneath her protecting branches, and shaded from the heat.[a]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Sirach 14:26 Hebrew Build...heat; Greek Let her protect your children. Live safe beneath her branches, shaded from the heat, surrounded by her glory.
Sirach 14:20-27
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Happiness of Seeking Wisdom
20 Happy are those who meditate on[a] wisdom
and who reason intelligently,(A)
21 who reflect in their hearts on her ways
and ponder her secrets,(B)
22 pursuing her like a hunter
and lying in wait on her paths;
23 who peer through her windows
and listen at her doors;(C)
24 who camp near her house
and fasten their tent pegs to her walls;
25 who pitch their tents near her
and so occupy an excellent lodging place;
26 who place their children under her shelter
and lodge under her boughs;
27 who are sheltered by her from the heat
and dwell in the midst of her glory.(D)
Footnotes
- 14.20 Other ancient authorities read die in
Ben Sira 14:20-27
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.
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.
Sirach 14:20-27
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised 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.
Footnotes
- Sirach 14:20 Other ancient authorities read dies in
- Sirach 14:21 The structure adopted in verses 21–27 follows the Heb
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