1  Wisdom will praise her own mind, and she will be honored by God, and she will be glorified in the midst of her people.

1  Wisdom shall praise herself, and shall glory in the midst of her people.

2  And she will open her mouth in the churches of the Most High, and she will be glorified in the sight of his virtue.

2  In the congregation of the most High shall she open her mouth, and triumph before his power.

3  And in the midst of her own people, she will be exalted. And she will be admired by the holy assembly.

3  I came out of the mouth of the most High, and covered the earth as a cloud.

4  And she will have praise within the multitude of the elect. And she will be blessed among the blessed. And she will say

5  “I went forth from the mouth of the Most High, as the first-born before all creatures.

6  I caused an unfailing light to arise in the heavens. And I covered all the earth like a cloud.

7  I lived in the highest places, and my throne is in the pillar of a cloud.

Sir24:4  I dwelt in high places, and my throne is in a cloudy pillar.

8  I alone have encompassed the circuit of heaven, and have penetrated to the depths of the abyss, and have walked upon the waves of the sea,

Sir24:5  I alone compassed the circuit of heaven, and walked in the bottom of the deep.

9  and have stood upon the whole earth. And among every people,

Sir24:6  In the waves of the sea and in all the earth, and in every people and nation, I got a possession.

10  and in every nation, I have held primacy.

Sir24:7  With all these I sought rest: and in whose inheritance shall I abide?

11  And by virtue, I have tread upon the hearts of all, the great and the lowly. And I have sought my rest in all of them. And I will continue, as the inheritance of the Lord.

12  Then the Creator of all things instructed and spoke with me. And the One who created me rested in my tabernacle.

Sir24:8  So the Creator of all things gave me a commandment, and he that made me caused my tabernacle to rest, and said, Let thy dwelling be in Jacob, and thine inheritance in Israel.

13  And he said to me: ‘Let your dwelling place be with Jacob, and let your inheritance be in Israel, for you shall take root among my elect.’

14  From the beginning, and before the world, I was created. And even unto the future world, I will not cease to exist. For I have ministered before him in the holy habitation.

9  He created me from the beginning before the world, and I shall never fail.

10  In the holy tabernacle I served before him; and so was I established in Sion.

15  And in this way, I was established in Zion. And likewise, in the holy city, I found rest. And my authority was in Jerusalem.

Sir24:11  Likewise in the beloved city he gave me rest, and in Jerusalem was my power.

16  And I took root among an honorable people, within the portion of my God, within his inheritance. And so my abode is in the full assembly of the saints.

Sir24:12  And I took root in an honourable people, even in the portion of the Lord’s inheritance.

17  I was exalted like a cedar in Lebanon and like a cypress on Mount Zion.

18  I was exalted like a palm tree in Kadesh and like a rose bush in Jericho.

Sir24:14  I was exalted like a palm tree in En-gaddi, and as a rose plant in Jericho, as a fair olive tree in a pleasant field, and grew up as a plane tree by the water.

19  I was exalted like a beautiful olive tree in the plains, and like a sycamore tree beside the waters along a wide road.

20  I gave off an aromatic fragrance like cinnamon or balsam. I produced a sweet odor like the best myrrh.

Sir24:15  I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon and aspalathus, and I yielded a pleasant odour like the best myrrh, as galbanum, and onyx, and sweet storax, and as the fume of frankincense in the tabernacle.

21  And I perfumed my dwelling place with sweet gum, and aromatic resin, and flower petals, and aloe, as well as the finest cedar from Lebanon. And my fragrance is like undiluted balsam.

22  I have extended my branches like a terebinth tree, and my branches are of honor and grace.

Sir24:16  As the turpentine tree I stretched out my branches, and my branches are the branches of honour and grace.

23  Like the vine, I have born the fruit of a sweet fragrance. And my flowers are the fruit of honor and integrity.

Sir24:17  As the vine brought I forth pleasant savour, and my flowers are the fruit of honour and riches.

24  I am the mother of the beauty of love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope.

Sir24:18  I am the mother of fair love, and fear, and knowledge, and holy hope: I therefore, being eternal, am given to all my children which are named of him.

25  All grace of the way and of the truth is in me. All hope of life and of virtue is in me.

26  Journey toward me, all you who desire me, and be filled by my harvest.

Sir24:19  Come unto me, all ye that be desirous of me, and fill yourselves with my fruits.

27  For my spirit is sweeter than honey, and my inheritance is better than honey and the honeycomb.

28  My memory is for the generations of all ages.

Sir24:20  For my memorial is sweeter than honey, and mine inheritance than the honeycomb.

29  Whoever consumes me will hunger still. And whoever drinks me will thirst still.

Sir24:21  They that eat me shall yet be hungry, and they that drink me shall yet be thirsty.

30  Whoever listens to me will not be confounded. And whoever acts in me will not sin.

Sir24:22  He that obeyeth me shall never be confounded, and they that work by me shall not do amiss.

31  Whoever elucidates me will have eternal life.”

32  All this is a book of life, and a covenant of the Most High, and an acknowledgement of truth.

Sir24:23  All these things are the book of the covenant of the most high God, even the law which Moses commanded for an heritage unto the congregations of Jacob.

33  Moses commanded the law by the precepts of justice, and an inheritance to the house of Jacob, and the promises to Israel.

Sir24:24  Faint not to be strong in the Lord; that he may confirm you, cleave unto him: for the Lord Almighty is God alone, and beside him there is no other Saviour.

34  God appointed David as his servant, in order to raise up from him a most mighty King, who would sit upon the throne of honor forever.

35  It is he who fulfills wisdom, like the Phison river and the Tigris river in the first days.

Sir24:25  He filleth all things with his wisdom, as Phison and as Tigris in the time of the new fruits.

36  It is he who fulfills understanding, like the river Euphrates. It is he who multiplies understanding, like the river Jordan in the time of the harvest.

Sir24:26  He maketh the understanding to abound like Euphrates, and as Jordan in the time of the harvest.

37  He sends forth discipline like the light, and he stands forth like the river Gehon in the time of the vintage.

Sir24:27  He maketh the doctrine of knowledge appear as the light, and as Geon in the time of vintage.

38  He first had perfect knowledge of her, for a weaker one would not search for her.

Sir24:28  The first man knew her not perfectly: no more shall the last find her out.

39  For her thoughts abound like the sea, and her counsels abound like the great abyss.

Sir24:29  For her thoughts are more than the sea, and her counsels profounder than the great deep.

40  “I, wisdom, have poured forth rivers.

41  I am like a brook leading to a river of immense waters. I am like a channel flowing from a river. And I went forth from Paradise like an aqueduct.

Sir24:30  I also came out as a brook from a river, and as a conduit into a garden.

42  I said: I will irrigate my garden of plantings, and I will thoroughly water the fruits of my field.

Sir24:31  I said, I will water my best garden, and will water abundantly my garden bed: and, lo, my brook became a river, and my river became a sea.

43  And behold, my brook became overflowing, and my river drew near to the sea.

44  For I illuminate doctrine to all, like the first light. And I will announce doctrine, even to those who are far away.

Sir24:32  I will yet make doctrine to shine as the morning, and will send forth her light afar off.

45  I will reach to all the lower parts of the earth, and I will gaze upon all who sleep, and I will illuminate all who hope in the Lord.

46  Even now, I pour forth doctrine like prophecy. And even now, I bequeath doctrine to those who seek wisdom. And I will not cease from their progeny, even unto the holy time.

Sir24:33  I will yet pour out doctrine as prophecy, and leave it to all ages for ever.

47  See how I have not labored for myself alone, but for all who are seeking truth!”

Sir24:34  Behold that I have not laboured for myself only, but for all them that seek wisdom.

25:1  My spirit is pleased with three things; these are approved in the sight of God and men

1  In three things I was beautified, and stood up beautiful both before God and men: the unity of brethren, the love of neighbours, a man and a wife that agree together.

25:2  the harmony of brothers, and the love of neighbors, and a husband and wife agreeing well together.

25:3  My soul hates three kinds of things; and I am greatly distressed over their souls

Sir25:2  Three sorts of men my soul hateth, and I am greatly offended at their life: a poor man that is proud, a rich man that is a liar, and an old adulterer that doateth.

25:4  an arrogant pauper, a wealthy liar, a foolish and senseless elder.

25:5  The things that you have not obtained in your youth, how will you find them in your old age?

Sir25:3  If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how canst thou find any thing in thine age?

25:6  How beautiful it is for a grey head to have judgment, and for elders to know counsel!

Sir25:4  O how comely a thing is judgement for gray hairs, and for ancient men to know counsel!

25:7  How beautiful it is for those who are aged to have wisdom, and for those who are honored to have understanding and counsel!

Sir25:5  O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men of honour.

25:8  Great experience is the crown of the aged, and the fear of God is their glory.

Sir25:6  Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their glory.

25:9  I have magnified nine things, overlooked by the heart; and a tenth, I will declare to men with my tongue

Sir25:7  There be nine things which I have judged in mine heart to be happy, and the tenth I will utter with my tongue: A man that hath joy of his children; and he that liveth to see the fall of his enemy

25:10  a man who finds joy in his children, and one who lives to see the undoing of his enemies.

25:11  Blessed is he who lives with a wise wife, and he who has not slipped with his tongue, and he who has not served those unworthy of himself.

Sir25:8  Well is him that dwelleth with a wife of understanding, and that hath not slipped with his tongue, and that hath not served a man more unworthy than himself

25:12  Blessed is he who finds a true friend, and he who describes justice to an attentive ear.

Sir25:9  Well is him that hath found prudence, and he that speaketh in the ears of them that will hear

25:13  How great is he who finds wisdom and knowledge! But there is no one above him who fears the Lord.

Sir25:10  O how great is he that findeth wisdom! yet is there none above him that feareth the Lord.

25:14  The fear of God has set itself above all things.

Sir25:11  But the love of the Lord passeth all things for illumination: he that holdeth it, whereto shall he be likened?

25:15  Blessed is the man to whom it has been given to have the fear of God. He who holds to it, to whom can he be compared?

25:16  The fear of God is the beginning of his love; and the beginning of faith has been joined closely to the same.

Sir25:12  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him.

25:17  The sadness of the heart is every wound. And the wickedness of a wife is every malice.

25:18  And a man will choose any wound, but the wound of the heart,

25:19  and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a wife,

Sir25:13  Give me any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman

25:20  and any obstacle, but the obstacle of those who hate him,

25:21  and any vindication, but the vindication of his enemies.

Sir25:14  And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.

25:22  There is no head worse than the head of a serpent,

Sir25:15  There is no head above the head of a serpent; and there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.

25:23  and there is no anger above the anger of a wife. It would be more agreeable to abide with a lion or a dragon, than to live with a wicked wife.

Sir25:16  I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.

25:24  A wicked wife changes her face. And she darkens her countenance like a bear. And she displays it like sackcloth. In the midst of her neighbors,

Sir25:17  The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth.

25:25  her husband groans, and hearing of this, he sighs a little.

Sir25:18  Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and when he heareth it shall sigh bitterly.

25:26  All malice is brief compared to the malice of a wife. Let the fate of sinners fall upon her!

Sir25:19  All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman: let the portion of a sinner fall upon her.

25:27  As climbing over sand is to the feet of the aged, so is a talkative wife to a quiet man.

Sir25:20  As the climbing up a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man.

25:28  You should not favor a woman’s beauty, and you should not desire a wife for her beauty.

Sir25:21  Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.

25:29  The anger and disrespect and shame from a wife can be great.

25:30  The wife, if she has primacy, is set against her husband.

Sir25:22  A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach.

25:31  A wicked wife debases the heart, and saddens the face, and wounds the heart.

Sir25:23  A wicked woman abateth the courage, maketh an heavy countenance and a wounded heart: a woman that will not comfort her husband in distress maketh weak hands and feeble knees.

25:32  A wife who does not make her husband happy enfeebles the hands and weakens the knees.

25:33  The beginning of sin came from a woman; and through her, we all die.

Sir25:24  Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die.

25:34  You should not provide an exit to your water, not even a little; nor should you give permission for a wicked wife to exceed the limit.

Sir25:25  Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.

25:35  If she will not walk at your hand, she will confound you in the sight of your enemies.

Sir25:26  If she go not as thou wouldest have her, cut her off from thy flesh, and give her a bill of divorce, and let her go.

25:36  Tear her away from your body, lest she abuse you continually.

26:1  Blessed is the husband of a good wife. For the number of his years is doubled.

26:2  A good wife delights her husband, and she will fill up the years of his life with peace.

2  A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.

26:3  A good wife is a good portion. She will be given the portion of those who fear God, like a man who has done good deeds.

26:4  But, rich or poor, with a good heart, his countenance will be cheerful at all times.

4  Whether a man be rich or poor, if he have a good heart toward the Lord, he shall at all times rejoice with a cheerful countenance.

26:5  Of three things, my heart has been afraid, and at a fourth, my face has shown dread

5  There be three things that mine heart feareth; and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse than death.

26:6  an accusation made by a city, and the gathering of a mob,

6  But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous over another woman, and a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.

26:7  and a deceitful false accusation. All these are more grievous than death.

7  An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.

26:8  A jealous wife is a grief and a mourning to the heart.

8  A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.

26:9  In a jealous wife, there is a scourge of the tongue, which communicates with everyone.

9  The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids.

26:10  Like a yoke of oxen being provoked, so also is a wicked wife. He who has hold of her is like one who has taken hold of a scorpion.

10  If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty.

26:11  An inebriated wife is a great wrath. And her disgrace and indecency will not be covered.

11  Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee.

26:12  The fornication of a wife will become known by the haughtiness of her eyes and by her eyelids.

12  She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller when he hath found a fountain, and drink of every water near her: by every hedge will she sit down, and open her quiver against every arrow.

26:13  So that her daughter will not also turn away, keep a strict watch; otherwise, having found an opportunity, she may enjoy herself.

13  The grace of a wife delighteth her husband, and her discretion will fatten his bones.

26:14  Be wary of the irreverence of her eyes, and you should not wonder if she might disregard you.

14  A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed.

26:15  Like a thirsty traveler, she will open her mouth to the fountain, and she will drink from every water nearby, and she will sit down beside every fencepost, and she will open her quiver to every arrow, until she becomes weary.

15  A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued.

26:16  The grace of an attentive wife will delight her husband, and will fatten his bones.

16  As the sun when it ariseth in the high heaven; so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house.

26:17  Her discipline is a gift from God.

17  As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick; so is the beauty of the face in ripe age.

26:18  Such is an understanding and quiet wife. For there is no substitution for a well-instructed soul.

18  As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver; so are the fair feet with a constant heart.

26:19  A holy and contrite wife is grace upon grace.

19  My son, keep the flower of thine age sound; and give not thy strength to strangers.

26:20  And no amount of money is equal to the value of a soul with self-restraint.

20  When thou hast gotten a fruitful possession through all the field, sow it with thine own seed, trusting in the goodness of thy stock.

26:21  Like the sun rising over the world in the high places of God, so the beauty of a good wife is the adornment of her house.

21  So thy race which thou leavest shall be magnified, having the confidence of their good descent.

26:22  Like a lamp shining atop a holy lampstand, so is the beauty of a face in the mature stage of life.

22  An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a married woman is a tower against death to her husband.

26:23  Like golden pillars upon bases of silver, so are the firm feet of a mature wife upon the soles of her feet.

23  A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman is given to him that feareth the Lord.

26:24  Like everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so are the commandments of God in the heart of a holy wife.

24  A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest woman will reverence her husband.

26:25  By two things, my heart is greatly saddened, and at a third, anger overwhelms me

25  A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog; but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord.

26:26  a man of war failing because of dire need, and an understanding man treated with contempt,

26  A woman that honoureth her husband shall be judged wise of all; but she that dishonoureth him in her pride shall be counted ungodly of all.

26:27  and anyone who crosses over from justice to sin. God has prepared such a one for the spear.

27  A loud crying woman and a scold shall be sought out to drive away the enemies.

26:28  Two kinds of things have seemed difficult and dangerous to me: a merchant will not be easily freed from his negligence, and a shopkeeper will not be justified by the sins of his lips.

28  There be two things that grieve my heart; and the third maketh me angry: a man of war that suffereth poverty; and men of understanding that are not set by; and one that returneth from righteousness to sin; the Lord prepareth such an one for the sword.

29  A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; and an huckster shall not be freed from sin.

27:1  Because of need, many have sinned. And whoever seeks to be enriched, averts his eye.

1  Many have sinned for a small matter; and he that seeketh for abundance will turn his eyes away.

27:2  Like a post fixed in the middle of adjoining stones, so also will sin become wedged between selling and buying.

2  As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones; so doth sin stick close between buying and selling.

27:3  Sin will be crushed with the one who sins.

27:4  If you do not hold yourself steadfastly to the fear of the Lord, your house will be quickly overthrown.

Sir27:3  Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord, his house shall soon be overthrown.

27:5  Just as the dust remains when one shakes a sieve, so will the doubt of a man remain in his thoughts.

Sir27:4  As when one sifteth with a sieve, the refuse remaineth; so the filth of man in his talk.

27:6  The furnace tests the potter’s vessels, and the trial of the tribulation tests just men.

Sir27:5  The furnace proveth the potter’s vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning.

27:7  As the pruning of a tree reveals its fruit, so does a word reveal the thoughts in the heart of a man.

Sir27:6  The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man.

27:8  You should not praise a man before he speaks; for such is the testing of men.

Sir27:7  Praise no man before thou hearest him speak; for this is the trial of men.

27:9  If you pursue justice, you will obtain it. And you will be clothed with justice, as with a long robe of honor. And you will live with justice. And justice will protect you continually. And on the day of reckoning, you will find a strong foundation.

Sir27:8  If thou followest righteousness, thou shalt obtain her, and put her on, as a glorious long robe.

27:10  Birds flock to their own kind. And truth will return to those who practice it.

Sir27:9  The birds will resort unto their like; so will truth return unto them that practise in her.

27:11  The lion lies in wait for its prey continually. So also do sins lie in wait for those who work iniquity.

Sir27:10  As the lion lieth in wait for the prey; so sin for them that work iniquity.

27:12  A holy man persists in wisdom like the sun. But a senseless man changes like the moon.

Sir27:11  The discourse of a godly man is always with wisdom; but a fool changeth as the moon.

27:13  In the midst of the senseless, retain a word for the proper time. But be continually in the midst those who are thoughtful.

Sir27:12  If thou be among the indiscreet, observe the time; but be continually among men of understanding.

27:14  The discussions of sinners are hateful, and their laughter is a delight in sin.

Sir27:13  The discourse of fools is irksome, and their sport is the wantonness of sin.

27:15  The speech that swears many oaths will cause the hair of the head to stand upright; and its irreverence will cause the ears to be blocked.

Sir27:14  The talk of him that sweareth much maketh the hair stand upright; and their brawls make one stop his ears.

27:16  The shedding of blood is in the quarrels of the arrogant; and their evil talk is grievous to hear.

Sir27:15  The strife of the proud is bloodshedding, and their revilings are grievous to the ear.

27:17  Whoever discloses the secret of a friend breaks faith; and he will not find a friend for his soul.

Sir27:16  Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit; and shall never find friend to his mind.

27:18  Love your neighbor, and be united with him faithfully.

Sir27:17  Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if thou betrayest his secrets, follow no more after him.

27:19  But if you disclose his secrets, you should not continue to follow after him.

27:20  For like a man who destroys his friend, so also is he who destroys the friendship of his neighbor.

Sir27:18  For as a man hath destroyed his enemy; so hast thou lost the love of thy neighbour.

27:21  And like someone releasing a bird from his hand, so have you abandoned your neighbor, and you will not obtain him again.

Sir27:19  As one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and shalt not get him again

27:22  You should no longer seek him, for he is now far away; he has fled like a roe-deer from a snare. For his soul has been wounded.

Sir27:20  Follow after him no more, for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare.

27:23  You will no longer be able to bind his wound. For there may be a reconciliation from cursing.

Sir27:21  As for a wound, it may be bound up; and after reviling there may be reconcilement: but he that betrayeth secrets is without hope.

27:24  But to disclose the secrets of a friend is the hopeless act of an unhappy soul.

27:25  One who winks with the eye fabricates iniquity, and no one will cast him aside.

Sir27:22  He that winketh with the eyes worketh evil: and he that knoweth him will depart from him.

27:26  In the sight of your eyes, he will sweeten his mouth, and he will admire your talk. But at the very end, he will pervert his mouth, and he will offer a scandal from your own words.

Sir27:23  When thou art present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and slander thy sayings.

27:27  I have hated many things, but I have not done as he has done, and the Lord will hate him.

27:28  Whoever throws a stone straight up will find that it falls on his own head. And a deceitful wound will return to wound the deceitful.

Sir27:25  Whoso casteth a stone on high casteth it on his own head; and a deceitful stroke shall make wounds.

27:29  And whoever digs a pit will fall into it. And whoever positions a stone against his neighbor will stumble over it. And whoever lays a trap for another will perish by it.

Sir27:26  Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that setteth a trap shall be taken therein.

27:30  Whoever sets in motion a wicked plan will find that it rolls back over him, and he will not know from which direction it will arrive.

Sir27:27  He that worketh mischief, it shall fall upon him, and he shall not know whence it cometh.

27:31  Mockery and derision are of the arrogant, and vengeance will lie in wait for them, like a lion.

Sir27:28  Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for them.

27:32  Whoever enjoys the fall of the just will perish in a snare, and grief will consume them before they die.

Sir27:29  They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the snare; and anguish shall consume them before they die.

27:33  Anger and fury are both abominable, and the sinful man will be held by them.

Sir27:30  Malice and wrath, even these are abominations; and the sinful man shall have them both.