The Bible in Its Traditions

Sirach 46:0; 1:1–40

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All wisdom is from the Lord God, and has always been with him, and is before all time.

All wisdom cometh from the Lord, and is with him for ever.

Who has numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of the rain, and the days of the world? Who has measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss?

Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of eternity?

Who has examined the wisdom of God, which precedes all things?

Who can find out the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the deep, and wisdom?

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Wisdom was created before all things, and the understanding of prudence is before all time.

The Word of God on high is the source of wisdom, whose steps are eternal commandments.

To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed, and who has recognized her astuteness?

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To whom has the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made manifest? And who has understood the multiplicity of her steps?

Unto whom hath the knowledge of wisdom been made manifest? and who hath understood her great experience?

The most high omnipotent Creator is One, and he is the mighty King, and he is exceedingly to be feared, sitting upon his throne, and he is the sovereign God.

There is one wise and greatly to be feared, the Lord sitting upon his throne.

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He created wisdom through the Holy Spirit, and he saw her, and numbered her, and measured her.

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10  And he poured her over all his works, and over all flesh, to the extent of his favor, and he has offered her to those who love him.

10  She is with all flesh according to his gift, and he hath given her to them that love him.

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11  The fear of the Lord is glory, and honor, and rejoicing, and a crown of exultation.

12  The fear of the Lord will delight the heart, and will give joy and gladness and length of days.

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13  It will be well, in the very end, for him who fears the Lord, and on the day that he passes away, he will be blessed.

13  Whoso feareth the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last, and he shall find favour in the day of his death.

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14  The love of God is honorable wisdom.

15  And those to whom she will appear for their consideration love her because of what they see and know of her great works.

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16  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and was created with the faithful in the womb, and walks with elect women, and is known by the just and the faithful.

Sir1:14  To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and it was created with the faithful in the womb.

17  The fear of the Lord is the sanctity of knowledge.

Sir1:15  She hath built an everlasting foundation with men, and she shall continue with their seed.

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18  Sanctity will guard and justify the heart, and will bestow happiness and joy.

19  It will be well with him who fears the Lord, and at the consummation of his days, he will be blessed.

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20  To fear God is the fullness of wisdom, and it is a fullness from its fruits.

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21  She will fill her entire house from her offspring, and storehouses from her treasures.

Sir1:17  She filleth all their house with things desirable, and the garners with her increase.

22  The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom, the completion of peace, and the fruit of salvation.

Sir1:18  The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish; both which are the gifts of God: and it enlargeth their rejoicing that love him.

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23  And the fear of the Lord has seen and numbered wisdom; but both are gifts of God.

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24  Wisdom will distribute knowledge and an understanding of prudence; and she lifts up the glory of those who hold to her.

Sir1:19  Wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of understanding standing, and exalteth them to honour that hold her fast.

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25  The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and its branches are long-lived.

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26  In the treasures of wisdom is understanding and the sanctity of knowledge. But to sinners, wisdom is an abomination.

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27  The fear of the Lord expels sin.

Sir1:21  The fear of the Lord driveth away sins: and where it is present, it turneth away wrath.

28  For he who is without fear is not able to be justified. For the disposition of his spirit is his undoing.

Sir1:22  A furious man cannot be justified; for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction.

29  Those who are patient will suffer for a brief time, and afterwards, happiness will return.

Sir1:23  A patient man will tear for a time, and afterward joy shall spring up unto him.

30  A noble mind will hide his words for a brief time, and then the lips of many will declare his understanding.

Sir1:24  He will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.

31  Among the treasures of wisdom is the outward sign of discipline.

Sir1:25  The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of wisdom: but godliness is an abomination to a sinner.

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32  But to those who sin, the worship of God is an abomination.

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33  Son, if you desire wisdom, observe justice, and then God will offer her to you.

Sir1:26  If thou desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord shall give her unto thee.

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34  For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline.

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35  And what pleases him is faith and meekness. And so shall he complete his treasures.

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36  You should not be incredulous to the fear of the Lord. And you should not draw close to him with a duplicitous heart.

Sir1:28  Distrust not the fear of the Lord when thou art poor: and come not unto him with a double heart.

37  You should not be a hypocrite in the sight of men. And you should not scandalize with your lips.

Sir1:29  Be not an hypocrite in the sight of men, and take good heed what thou speakest.

38  Attend to these things, otherwise you may fall and bring dishonor to your soul.

Sir1:30  Exalt not thyself, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul, and so God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation, because thou camest not in truth to the fear of the Lord, but thy heart is full of deceit.

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39  And then God may uncover your secrets, and he may cast you down forcefully in the midst of the congregation.

40  For you drew near to the Lord wickedly, and your heart was filled with deceit and falseness.