Sirach 24
Good News Translation
In Praise of Wisdom
24 Listen to Wisdom! She proudly sings her own praises among the Israelites, her own people, 2 in the assembly of the Most High, in the presence of his power.[a]
3 I am the word spoken by the Most High.
I covered the earth like a mist.
4 (A)I made my home in highest heaven,
my throne on a pillar of cloud.
5 Alone I walked around the circle of the sky
and walked through the ocean beneath the earth.
6 I ruled over[b] all the earth and the ocean waves,
over every nation, over every people.
7 I looked everywhere for a place to settle,
some part of the world to make my home.
8 Then my Creator, who created the universe,
told me where I was to live.
Make your home in Israel, he said.
The descendants of Jacob will be your people.
9 He created me in eternity, before time began,
and I will exist for all eternity to come.
10 I served him in the Sacred Tent
and then made my home on Mount Zion.
11 He settled me in the Beloved City
and gave me authority over Jerusalem.
12 I put down roots among an honored people
whom the Lord had chosen as his own.
13 I grew tall, like the cedars in Lebanon,
like the cypresses on Mount Hermon,
14 like the palm trees of Engedi,[c]
like the roses of Jericho,
like beautiful olive trees in the fields,
like plane trees growing by the water.
15 My breath was the spicy smell of cinnamon,
of sweet perfume and finest myrrh,
of stacte, onycha, and galbanum,
the fragrant incense in the Sacred Tent.
16 Like an oak I spread out my branches,
magnificent and graceful.
17 Like a grapevine I put out lovely shoots;
my blossoms gave way to rich and glorious fruit.[d]
19 Come to me, all you that want me,
and eat your fill of my fruit.
20 You will remember me as sweeter than honey,
better than honey from the comb.
21 Eat me, and you will hunger for more;
drink me, and you will thirst for more.
22 Obey me, and you will never have cause for embarrassment;
do as I say, and you will be safe from sin.
Wisdom and the Law
23 Wisdom is the Law, the Law which Moses commanded us to keep, the covenant of God Most High, the inheritance of the synagogues of Israel.[e] 25 The Law overflows with Wisdom like the Pishon River, like the Tigris at fruit-picking time. 26 The Law brims over with understanding like the Euphrates, like the Jordan at harvest time. 27 It sparkles with teachings like the Nile,[f] like the Gihon at grape-picking time.
28 The first human being ever created never knew Wisdom completely, and the last person on earth will be no more successful. 29 The possibilities of Wisdom are vaster than the ocean; her resources are more profound than the deepest waters beneath the earth.
30 As for me, I thought of myself as an irrigation canal bringing water from a river into a garden. 31 I only intended to water my orchard and flower beds, but the canal soon became a river, and the river became a sea. 32 And so I present you with my learning; I hold it high, so that its light can be seen everywhere, like that of the rising sun. 33 Like an inspired prophet, I pour out my teachings, so that future generations can benefit from them. 34 Please realize that I have not done all this hard work for myself alone, but to help anyone who wants to be wise.
Notas al pie
- Sirach 24:2 power; or angels.
- Sirach 24:6 ruled over; some manuscripts have gained possession of.
- Sirach 24:14 of Engedi; some manuscripts have on the seashore.
- Sirach 24:17 Some manuscripts add verse 18: I am the mother of beautiful love, of fear, knowledge, and holy hope. Since I am eternal, I am given to all my children, who are named by him.
- Sirach 24:23 Some manuscripts add verse 24: Always be strong in the Lord; stay with him, so that he may make you strong. There is no God but the Lord Almighty, and no savior except him.
- Sirach 24:27 One ancient translation It sparkles...Nile; Greek It makes teachings shine like light.
Sirach 24
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Praise of Wisdom[a]
24 Wisdom praises herself
and tells of her glory in the midst of her people.(A)
2 In the assembly of the Most High she opens her mouth,
and in the presence of his hosts she tells of her glory:
3 “I came forth from the mouth of the Most High
and covered the earth like a mist.(B)
4 I encamped in the heights,
and my throne was in a pillar of cloud.(C)
5 Alone I compassed the vault of heaven
and traversed the depths of the abyss.(D)
6 Over waves of the sea, over all the earth,
and over every people and nation I have held sway.[b](E)
7 Among all these I sought a resting place;
in whose inheritance should I abide?
8 “Then the Creator of all things gave me a command,
and my Creator pitched my tent.
He said, ‘Encamp in Jacob,
and in Israel receive your inheritance.’(F)
9 Before the ages, in the beginning, he created me,
and for all the ages I shall not cease to be.(G)
10 In the holy tent I ministered before him,
and so I was established in Zion.(H)
11 Thus in the beloved city he gave me a resting place,
and in Jerusalem was my domain.(I)
12 I took root in an honored people;
in the portion of the Lord is my inheritance.(J)
13 “I grew tall like a cedar in Lebanon
and like a cypress on the heights of Hermon.(K)
14 I grew tall like a palm tree in En-gedi[c]
and like rosebushes in Jericho;
like a fair olive tree in the field
and like a plane tree beside water[d] I grew tall.(L)
15 Like cassia and camel’s thorn I gave forth perfume,
and like choice myrrh I spread my fragrance,
like galbanum, onycha, and stacte,
and like the odor of incense in the tent.(M)
16 Like a terebinth I spread out my branches,
and my branches are glorious and graceful.
17 Like the vine I bud forth delights,
and my blossoms become glorious and abundant fruit.[e](N)
19 “Come to me, you who desire me,
and eat your fill of my fruits.(O)
20 For the memory of me is sweeter than honey
and the possession of me sweeter than the honeycomb.(P)
21 Those who eat of me will hunger for more,
and those who drink of me will thirst for more.
22 Whoever obeys me will not be put to shame,
and those who work with me will not sin.”
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.[f](Q)
25 It becomes full, like the Pishon, with wisdom
and like the Tigris at the time of the spring harvest.(R)
26 It fills up, like the Euphrates, with understanding,
and like the Jordan at harvest time.(S)
27 It pours forth instruction like the Nile,[g]
like the Gihon at the time of vintage.(T)
28 The first man did not know wisdom[h] 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.(U)
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.(V)
34 Observe that I have not labored for myself alone
but for all who seek wisdom.[i](W)
Notas al pie
- 24.1 This heading is included in the Gk text.
- 24.6 Other ancient authorities read I have acquired a possession
- 24.14 Other ancient authorities read on the beaches
- 24.14 Other ancient authorities omit beside water
- 24.17 Other ancient authorities add as 24.18: I am the mother of beautiful love, of fear, of knowledge, and of holy hope; I give to all my children; these things are eternal for those who are named by him.
- 24.23 Other ancient authorities add as 24.24: Do not cease to be strong in the Lord, cling to him so that he may strengthen you; the Lord Almighty alone is God, and besides him there is no savior.
- 24.27 Syr: Gk It makes instruction shine forth like light
- 24.28 Gk her
- 24.34 Gk her
Ben Sira 24
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 24
Praise of Wisdom
1 Wisdom sings her own praises,[a]
among her own people she proclaims her glory.
2 In the assembly of the Most High she opens her mouth,
in the presence of his host she tells of her glory:
3 “From the mouth of the Most High I came forth,(A)
and covered the earth like a mist.
4 In the heights of heaven I dwelt,
and my throne was in a pillar of cloud.
5 The vault of heaven I compassed alone,
and walked through the deep abyss.
6 Over waves of the sea, over all the land,
over every people and nation I held sway.
7 Among all these I sought a resting place.
In whose inheritance should I abide?
8 “Then the Creator of all gave me his command,
and my Creator chose the spot for my tent.
He said, ‘In Jacob make your dwelling,
in Israel your inheritance.’
9 Before all ages, from the beginning, he created me,
and through all ages I shall not cease to be.
10 In the holy tent I ministered before him,
and so I was established in Zion.
11 In the city he loves as he loves me, he gave me rest;
in Jerusalem, my domain.
12 I struck root among the glorious people,
in the portion of the Lord, his heritage.
13 “Like a cedar in Lebanon I grew tall,
like a cypress on Mount Hermon;
14 I grew tall like a palm tree in Engedi,
like rosebushes in Jericho;
Like a fair olive tree in the field,
like a plane tree beside water I grew tall.
15 Like cinnamon and fragrant cane,
like precious myrrh I gave forth perfume;
Like galbanum and onycha and mastic,(B)
like the odor of incense in the holy tent.[b]
16 “I spread out my branches like a terebinth,
my branches so glorious and so graceful.
17 I bud forth delights like a vine;
my blossoms are glorious and rich fruit.[c]
19 Come to me, all who desire me,
and be filled with my fruits.[d]
20 You will remember me as sweeter than honey,
better to have than the honeycomb.
21 Those who eat of me will hunger still,[e]
those who drink of me will thirst for more.(C)
22 Whoever obeys me will not be put to shame,
and those who serve me will never go astray.”
23 All this is the book of the covenant of the Most High God,(D)
the Law which Moses commanded us[f]
as a heritage for the community of Jacob.[g]
25 It overflows, like the Pishon, with wisdom,(E)
and like the Tigris at the time of first fruits.
26 It runs over, like the Euphrates, with understanding,
and like the Jordan at harvest time.
27 It floods like the Nile with instruction,
like the Gihon[h] at vintage time.
28 The first human being never finished comprehending wisdom,
nor will the last succeed in fathoming her.
29 For deeper than the sea are her thoughts,
and her counsels, than the great abyss.
30 Now I, like a stream from a river,[i]
and like water channeling into a garden—
31 I said, “I will water my plants,
I will drench my flower beds.”
Then suddenly this stream of mine became a river,
and this river of mine became a sea.
32 Again I will make my teachings shine forth like the dawn;
I will spread their brightness afar off.
33 Again I will pour out instruction like prophecy
and bestow it on generations yet to come.
Notas al pie
- 24:1–29 Wisdom speaks in the first person, describing her origin, her dwelling place in Israel, and the reward she gives her followers. As in Proverbs 8, Wisdom is personified as coming from God, yet distinct from him. This description is reflected in the Johannine logos, or Word (Jn 1:1–14). It is used extensively in the Roman liturgy.
- 24:15 These substances, associated with worship, are mentioned in Ex 30:23–28, 34–35 as the ingredients of the anointing oil and the sacred incense. Israel was a priestly nation (Ex 19:6; Is 61:6).
- 24:17
Other ancient texts read as v. 18:
I am the mother of fair love, of reverence,
of knowledge, and of holy hope;
To all my children I give
to be everlasting: to those named by Him.
- 24:19 Mt 11:28–30 contains a similar invitation.
- 24:21 The paradox of wisdom is that, far from being satiated, those who partake of her will always desire more.
- 24:23 Ben Sira now identifies Wisdom and the law of Moses; see also Bar 4:1.
- 24:23
Other ancient texts read as v. 24:
Do not grow weary of striving with the Lord’s help,
but cling to him that he may reinforce you.
The Lord Almighty alone is God,
and apart from him there is no savior.
- 24:27 Gihon: understood by some to have been a name for the Nile; cf. Gn 2:13.
- 24:30–33 Ben Sira again speaks about himself. He had at first drawn a small portion of the water of wisdom for his own private benefit, but finding it so useful, he soon began to let others share in this boon by teaching them the lessons of wisdom. Like the words of the prophets, Ben Sira’s instruction is valuable for all generations (v. 33). The comparison to prophecy is bold and unique.
Sirach 24
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition
The Praise of Wisdom[a]
24 Wisdom praises herself,
and tells of her glory in the midst of her people.
2 In the assembly of the Most High she opens her mouth,
and in the presence of his hosts she tells of her glory:
3 ‘I came forth from the mouth of the Most High,
and covered the earth like a mist.
4 I dwelt in the highest heavens,
and my throne was in a pillar of cloud.
5 Alone I compassed the vault of heaven
and traversed the depths of the abyss.
6 Over waves of the sea, over all the earth,
and over every people and nation I have held sway.[b]
7 Among all these I sought a resting-place;
in whose territory should I abide?
8 ‘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.”
9 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.
13 ‘I grew tall like a cedar in Lebanon,
and like a cypress on the heights of Hermon.
14 I grew tall like a palm tree in En-gedi,[c]
and like rose-bushes in Jericho;
like a fair olive tree in the field,
and like a plane tree beside water[d] I grew tall.
15 Like cassia and camel’s thorn I gave forth perfume,
and like choice myrrh I spread my fragrance,
like galbanum, onycha, and stacte,
and like the odour of incense in the tent.
16 Like a terebinth I spread out my branches,
and my branches are glorious and graceful.
17 Like the vine I bud forth delights,
and my blossoms become glorious and abundant fruit.[e]
19 ‘Come to me, you who desire me,
and eat your fill of my fruits.
20 For the memory of me is sweeter than honey,
and the possession of me sweeter than the honeycomb.
21 Those who eat of me will hunger for more,
and those who drink of me will thirst for more.
22 Whoever obeys me will not be put to shame,
and those who work with me will not sin.’
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.[f]
25 It overflows, like the Pishon, with wisdom,
and like the Tigris at the time of the first fruits.
26 It runs over, like the Euphrates, with understanding,
and like the Jordan at harvest time.
27 It pours forth instruction like the Nile,[g]
like the Gihon at the time of vintage.
28 The first man did not know wisdom[h] 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 As for me, I was 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 lo, my canal became a river,
and my river a sea.
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.
34 Observe that I have not laboured for myself alone,
but for all who seek wisdom.[i]
Notas al pie
- Sirach 24:1 This heading is included in the Gk text.
- Sirach 24:6 Other ancient authorities read I have acquired a possession
- Sirach 24:14 Other ancient authorities read on the beaches
- Sirach 24:14 Other ancient authorities omit beside water
- Sirach 24:17 Other ancient authorities add as verse 18, I am the mother of beautiful love, of fear, of knowledge, and of holy hope; being eternal, I am given to all my children, to those who are named by him.
- Sirach 24:23 Other ancient authorities add as verse 24, ‘Do not cease to be strong in the Lord, cling to him so that he may strengthen you; the Lord Almighty alone is God, and besides him there is no saviour.’
- Sirach 24:27 Syr: Gk It makes instruction shine forth like light
- Sirach 24:28 Gk her
- Sirach 24:34 Gk her
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