Sirach 14:20-15:10

Common English Bible

Seeking Wisdom brings happiness

²⁰Happy are those who meditate
on Wisdom
    and who reason intelligently.
²¹Those who consider her ways
in their hearts
    will also reflect on her secrets.
²²Pursue her like a hunter,
    and lie in wait by her paths.
²³Those who peer into her windows
    will also listen at her doorways.
²⁴Those who lodge near her house
    will also fasten a tent peg in her walls.
²⁵They will pitch their tent close at hand
    and will find accommodation
    in a lodging place full of good things.
²⁶They will put their children
under her shelter,
    and will encamp under her branches.
²⁷She will shelter them from the heat,
    and they will dwell in her glory.

15 Whoever fears the Lord
will do these things,
    and whoever has a firm hold
    on the Law will possess Wisdom.
²She will come to meet them like a mother,
    and she will await them
    like a young bride.
³She will feed them bread
of understanding,
    and will give them water of wisdom
    to drink.
⁴They will be supported by her
and not be undermined;
    they will be intent upon her
    and will never be put to shame.
⁵She will raise them above their neighbors,
    and allow them to speak
    in the midst of the assembly.
⁶They will inherit gladness,
a crown of rejoicing,
    and an eternal name.
⁷People who lack sense will never
receive her,
    and sinners will never see her.
⁸She keeps far away from the arrogant,
    and liars will never remember her.
⁹Praise isn’t proper in the mouth of sinners
    because it hasn’t been assigned
    by the Lord.
¹⁰Praise must be spoken in wisdom,
    and the Lord will cause it to prosper.