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The Praise of Wisdom[a]

24 Wisdom praises herself,
    and tells of her glory in the midst of her people.
In the assembly of the Most High she opens her mouth,
    and in the presence of his hosts she tells of her glory:
‘I came forth from the mouth of the Most High,
    and covered the earth like a mist.
I dwelt in the highest heavens,
    and my throne was in a pillar of cloud.
Alone I compassed the vault of heaven
    and traversed the depths of the abyss.
Over waves of the sea, over all the earth,
    and over every people and nation I have held sway.[b]
Among all these I sought a resting-place;
    in whose territory should I abide?

‘Then the Creator of all things gave me a command,
    and my Creator chose the place for my tent.
He said, “Make your dwelling in Jacob,
    and in Israel receive your inheritance.”
Before the ages, in the beginning, he created me,
    and for all the ages I shall not cease to be.
10 In the holy tent I ministered before him,
    and so I was established in Zion.
11 Thus in the beloved city he gave me a resting-place,
    and in Jerusalem was my domain.
12 I took root in an honoured people,
    in the portion of the Lord, his heritage.

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Footnotes

  1. Sirach 24:1 This heading is included in the Gk text.
  2. Sirach 24:6 Other ancient authorities read I have acquired a possession

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