Sirach 24:23-34
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Wisdom and the Law
23 All this is the book of the covenant of the Most High God,
the law that Moses commanded us
as an inheritance for the congregations of Jacob.[a](A)
25 It becomes full, like the Pishon, with wisdom
and like the Tigris at the time of the spring harvest.(B)
26 It fills up, like the Euphrates, with understanding,
and like the Jordan at harvest time.(C)
27 It pours forth instruction like the Nile,[b]
like the Gihon at the time of vintage.(D)
28 The first man did not know wisdom[c] fully,
nor will the last one fathom her.
29 For her thoughts are more abundant than the sea
and her counsel deeper than the great abyss.
30 I came forth like a canal from a river,
like a water channel into a garden.
31 I said, “I will water my garden
and drench my flower beds.”
And look, my canal became a river
and my river a sea.(E)
32 I will again make instruction shine forth like the dawn,
and I will make it clear from far away.
33 I will again pour out teaching like prophecy
and leave it to all future generations.(F)
34 Observe that I have not labored for myself alone
but for all who seek wisdom.[d](G)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.