Sirach 39
Good News Translation
39 But it is different with the person who devotes himself to studying the Law of the Most High. He examines the wisdom of all the ancient writers and concerns himself with the prophecies. 2 He memorizes the sayings of famous men and is a skilled interpreter of parables. 3 He studies the hidden meaning of proverbs and is able to discuss the obscure points of parables. 4 Great people call on him for his services, and he is seen in the company of rulers. He travels to foreign lands in his efforts to learn about human good and evil. 5 It is his practice to get up early and pray aloud to the Lord his Creator, asking the Most High to forgive his sins. 6 Then, if the great Lord is willing, he will be filled with understanding. He will pour out a stream of wise sayings, and give thanks to the Lord in prayer. 7 He will have knowledge to share and good advice to give, as well as insight into the Lord's secrets. 8 He will demonstrate his learning in what he teaches,[a] and his pride will be in the Lord's Law and covenant. 9 He will be widely praised for his wisdom, and it will never be lost, because people for generations to come will remember him. 10 The Gentiles will talk about his wisdom, and he will be praised aloud in the assembly. 11 If he lives to old age, he will die famous, but if he is laid to rest before he is famous, he will be content.[b]
A Hymn in Praise of God
12 Like the moon, I am full—full of more ideas to be discussed. 13 Listen to me, you devout children of mine, and blossom like a rosebush on a stream bank. 14 Bloom like a sweet-smelling lily, and send your fragrance into the air like incense. Sing the Lord's praises, and thank him for all that he has done. 15 Proclaim his glory in grateful praise! To the music of the harp, sing this song:
16 All that the Lord has done is very good;
all that he commands is sooner or later done.
17 No one should ask why things are as they are;
these questions will be answered at the right time.
He commanded, and the water piled up high,
great walls of water arose when he spoke.
18 Whatever he commands is promptly done;
there are no limits to his power to save.
19 He sees all that every human being does;
there is no way to hide from his sight.
20 He sees the whole of time, from beginning to end,
and nothing takes him by surprise.[c]
21 No one should ask why things are as they are;
everything in creation has its purpose.
22 His blessings overflow like the Nile,
enriching the world in a fertile flood.[d]
23 He turns fresh water into salt water,
and he turns his anger on the nations.
24 For the devout, his ways are straight;
for the wicked, they are laid with traps.
25 From the beginning he has made good things for the good
and terrible things for sinners.
26 The basic needs of life are these:
water, fire, iron, and salt,
flour, honey, and milk,
wine, clothing, and oil.
27 All these things are good for those who are devout,
but they turn into evils for sinners.
28 There are winds that were created to bring punishment,
fierce enough to move mountains.[e]
In times of judgment, they unleash their strength
and calm the anger of their maker.
29-30 Vicious animals, scorpions, and snakes;
the sword that destroys the wicked;
fire, hail, famine, and disease;
these have all been created as punishments.
31 They are all glad to obey the Lord's command
and are ready to serve him here on earth.
When their times of duty come,
they never disobey.
(32 I was long convinced of this, so after thinking it over I put[f] it in writing.)
33 Everything made by the Lord is good;
he meets every need at the proper time.
34 No one can claim that some things are worse than others,
for everything is good in its proper place.
35 Now then, sing praises with all your heart,
and praise the name of the Lord!
Notas al pie
- Sirach 39:8 his learning...teaches; or the wisdom of what he has been taught.
- Sirach 39:11 if he is...content; Greek unclear.
- Sirach 39:20 takes him by surprise; or is too marvelous for him.
- Sirach 39:22 Hebrew overflow...flood; Greek cover the dry land like a river and drench it like a flood.
- Sirach 39:28 Hebrew move mountains; Greek lash heavily.
- Sirach 39:32 put; or left.
Sirach 39
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
39 They seek out the wisdom of all the ancients
and are concerned with prophecies;(A)
2 they preserve the sayings of the famous
and penetrate the subtleties of parables;
3 they seek out the hidden meanings of proverbs
and are at home with the obscurities of parables.(B)
4 They serve among the great
and appear before rulers;
they travel in foreign nations
and learn what is good and evil in the human lot.(C)
5 They set their hearts to rise early
to seek the Lord who made them
and to petition the Most High;
they open their mouths in prayer
and ask pardon for their sins.(D)
6 If the great Lord is willing,
they will be filled with the spirit of understanding;
they will pour forth words of wisdom of their own
and give thanks to the Lord in prayer.(E)
7 The Lord[a] will direct their counsel and knowledge
as they meditate on his mysteries.(F)
8 They will show the discipline of their training
and will glory in the law of the Lord’s covenant.
9 Many will praise their understanding;
it will never be blotted out.
Their memory will not disappear,
and their names will live through all generations.(G)
10 Nations will speak of their wisdom,
and the congregation will proclaim their praise.(H)
11 If they live long, they will leave a name greater than a thousand,
and if they go to rest, it is enough for them.
A Hymn of Praise to God
12 I have more on my mind to express;
I am full like the full moon.
13 Listen to me, my faithful children, and blossom
like a rose growing by a stream of water.(I)
14 Send out fragrance like incense
and put forth blossoms like a lily.
Raise your voice[b] and sing a hymn of praise;
bless the Lord for all his works.(J)
15 Ascribe majesty to his name
and give thanks to him with praise,
with songs on your lips and with harps;
this is what you shall say in thanksgiving:(K)
16 “All the works of the Lord are very good,
and whatever he commands will be done at the appointed time.(L)
17 No one can say, ‘What is this?’ or ‘Why is that?’—
for at the appointed time everything will be made known.
At his word the waters stood in a heap
and the reservoirs of water at the word of his mouth.(M)
18 At his command, his purpose is fulfilled,
and none can limit his saving power.(N)
19 The works of all are before him,
and nothing can be hidden from his eyes.(O)
20 From age to age he observes all,
and nothing is too marvelous for him.
21 No one can say, ‘What is this?’ or ‘Why is that?’—
for everything has been created for its own purpose.(P)
22 “His blessing covers the dry land like a river
and drenches it like a flood.
23 The nations will inherit his wrath,
as when he turned a watered land into salt.
24 To the faithful his ways are straight
but full of pitfalls for the lawless.(Q)
25 From the beginning good things were created for the good
but for sinners good things and bad.[c](R)
26 The basic necessities of human life
are water and fire and iron and salt
and wheat flour and milk and honey,
the blood of the grape and oil and clothing.(S)
27 All these are good for the godly,
but for sinners they turn into evils.(T)
28 “There are winds created for vengeance,
and in their anger they can dislodge mountains;[d]
on the day of reckoning they will pour out their strength
and calm the anger of their Maker.(U)
29 Fire and hail and famine and pestilence—
all these have been created for vengeance;(V)
30 the fangs of wild animals and scorpions and vipers
and the sword that punishes the ungodly with destruction.(W)
31 They take delight in doing his bidding,
always ready for his service on earth,
and when their time comes they never disobey his command.”(X)
32 So from the beginning I have been steadfast
and have thought it out and left it in writing:
33 All the works of the Lord are good,
and he will supply every need in its time.(Y)
34 No one can say, “This is not as good as that,”
for everything proves good in its appointed time.(Z)
35 So now sing praise with all your heart and voice,
and bless the name of the Lord.
Sirach 39
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
39 The wise men will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients, and will be occupied in the prophets.
2 He will keep the sayings of renowned men, and will enter withal into the subtilties of parables.
3 He will search out the hidden meanings of proverbs, and will be conversant in the secrets of parables.
4 He shall serve among great men, and: appear before the governor.
5 He shall pass into strange countries: for he shall try good and evil among men.
6 He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and he will pray in the sight of the most High.
7 He will open his mouth in prayer, and will make supplication for his sins.
8 For if it shall please the great Lord, he will fill him with the spirit of understanding:
9 And he will pour forth the words of his wisdom as showers, and in his prayer he will confess to the Lord.
10 And he shall direct his counsel, and his knowledge, and in his secrets shall he meditate.
11 He shall shew forth the discipline he hath learned, and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord.
12 Many shall praise his wisdom, and it shall never be forgotten.
13 The memory of him shall not depart away, and his name shall be in request from generation to generation.
14 Nations shall declare his wisdom, and the church shall shew forth his praise.
15 If he continue, he shall leave a name above a thousand: and if he rest, it shall be to his advantage.
16 I will yet meditate that I may declare: for I am filled as with a holy transport.
17 By a voice he saith: Hear me, ye divine offspring, and bud forth as the rose planted by the brooks of waters.
18 Give ye a sweet odour as frankincense.
19 Send forth flowers, as the lily, and yield a smell, and bring forth leaves in grace, and praise with canticles, and bless the Lord in his works.
20 Magnify his name, and give glory to him with the voice of your lips, and with the canticles of your mouths, and with harps, and in praising him, you shall say in this manner:
21 All the works of the Lord are exceeding good.
22 At his word the waters stood as a heap: and at the words of his mouth the receptacles of waters:
23 For at his commandment favour is shewn, and there is no diminishing of his salvation.
24 The works of all flesh are before him, and there is nothing hid from his eyes.
25 He seeth from eternity to eternity, and there is nothing wonderful before him.
26 There is no saying: What is this, or what is that? for all things shall be sought in their time.
27 His blessing hath overflowed like a river.
28 And as a flood hath watered the earth; so shall his wrath inherit the nations, that have not sought after him:
29 Even as he turned the waters into a dry land, and the earth was made dry: and his ways were made plain for their journey: so to sinners they are stumblingblocks in his wrath.
30 Good things were created for the good from the beginning, so for the wicked, good and evil things.
31 The principal things necessary for the life of men, are water, fire, and iron, salt, milk, and bread of flour, and honey, and the cluster of the grape, and oil, and clothing.
32 All these things shall be for good to the holy, so to the sinners and the ungodly they shall be turned into evil.
33 There are spirits that are created for vengeance, and in their fury they lay on grievous torments.
34 In the time of destruction they shall pour out their force: and they shall appease the wrath of him that made them.
35 Fire, hail, famine, and death, all these were created for vengeance.
36 The teeth of beasts, and scorpions, and serpents, and the sword taking vengeance upon the ungodly unto destruction.
37 In his commandments they shall feast, and they shall be ready upon earth when need is, and when their time is come they shall not transgress his word.
38 Therefore from the beginning I was resolved, and I have meditated, and thought on these things and left them in writing.
39 All the works of the Lord are good, and he will furnish every work in due time.
40 It is not to be said: This is worse than that: for all shall be well approved in their time.
41 Now therefore with the whole heart and mouth praise ye him, and bless the name of the Lord.
Ben Sira 39
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 39
How different the person who devotes himself
to the study of the law of the Most High!
1 He explores the wisdom of all the ancients
and is occupied with the prophecies;
2 He preserves the discourses of the famous,
and goes to the heart of involved sayings;
3 He seeks out the hidden meaning of proverbs,
and is busied with the enigmas found in parables.
4 He is in attendance on the great,
and appears before rulers.
He travels among the peoples of foreign lands
to test what is good and evil among people.
5 His care is to rise early
to seek the Lord his Maker,
to petition the Most High,
To open his mouth in prayer,
to ask pardon for his sins.
6 If it pleases the Lord Almighty,
he will be filled with the spirit of understanding;
He will pour forth his words of wisdom
and in prayer give praise to the Lord.
7 He will direct his knowledge and his counsel,
as he meditates upon God’s mysteries.
8 He will show the wisdom of what he has learned
and glory in the Law of the Lord’s covenant.
9 Many will praise his understanding;
his name can never be blotted out;
Unfading will be his memory,
through all generations his name will live;(A)
10 Peoples will speak of his wisdom,
and the assembly will declare his praise.
11 While he lives he is one out of a thousand,
and when he dies he leaves a good name.
Praise of God the Creator[a]
12 Once more I will set forth my theme
to shine like the moon in its fullness!
13 Listen to me, my faithful children: open up your petals,
like roses planted near running waters;
14 Send up the sweet odor of incense,
break forth in blossoms like the lily.
Raise your voices in a chorus of praise;
bless the Lord for all his works!
15 Proclaim the greatness of his name,
loudly sing his praises,
With music on the harp and all stringed instruments;
sing out with joy as you proclaim:
16 The works of God are all of them good;
he supplies for every need in its own time.(B)
17 At his word the waters become still as in a flask;
he had but to speak and the reservoirs were made.(C)
18 He has but to command and his will is done;
nothing can limit his saving action.
19 The works of all humankind are present to him;
nothing is hidden from his eyes.(D)
20 His gaze spans all the ages:
is there any limit to his saving action?
To him, nothing is small or insignificant,
and nothing too wonderful or hard for him.
21 No cause then to say: “What is the purpose of this?”
Everything is chosen to satisfy a need.
22 His blessing overflows like the Nile;
like the Euphrates it enriches the surface of the earth.
23 Even so, his wrath dispossesses the nations
and turns fertile land into a salt marsh.(E)
24 For the virtuous his paths are level,
to the haughty they are clogged with stones.
25 Good things for the good he provided from the beginning,
but for the wicked good things and bad.
26 Chief of all needs for human life
are water and fire, iron and salt,
The heart of the wheat, milk and honey,
the blood of the grape, and oil, and clothing.(F)
27 For the good all these are good,
but for the wicked they turn out evil.
28 There are stormwinds created to punish;
in their fury they can dislodge mountains.
In a time of destruction they hurl their force
and calm the anger of their Maker.
29 Fire and hail, famine and disease:
these too were created for punishment.
30 Ravenous beasts, scorpions, vipers,
and the avenging sword to exterminate the wicked:
All these were created to meet a need,
and are kept in his storehouse for the proper time.
31 When he commands them, they rejoice,
in their assigned tasks they do not disobey his command.
32 That is why from the first I took my stand,
and wrote down as my theme:
33 The works of God are all of them good;
he supplies for every need in its own time.(G)
34 There is no cause then to say: “This is not as good as that”;
for each shows its worth at the proper time.
35 So now with full heart and voice proclaim
and bless his name!
Notas al pie
- 39:12–35 Ben Sira invites his disciples to join him in joyfully proclaiming his favorite theme: The works of God are all good; God supplies for every need in its own time (vv. 12–16, 32–35). The sage describes God’s omniscience, supreme power and wisdom, whereby all created things, good in themselves, are ever present to him, obey him, and fulfill their intended purpose (vv. 17–21), bringing blessing to the virtuous, but evil and punishment to the wicked who misuse them (vv. 22–31). Cf. similar hymns of praise, 36:1–22; 42:15–43:33.
Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. For more information about GNT, visit www.bibles.com and www.gnt.bible.
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.
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