Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

1For he that feareth the Lord shall do this; And he that layeth hold on the law shall attain unto her (?).

2And she shall meet him as mother; And receive him as wife of youth.

3And she shall feed him with bread of wisdom; And give him water of understanding to drink.

4And he shall be stayed upon her, and shall not be moved; And in her shall he trust, and he shall not be confounded.

5And she shall exalt him above his neighbour; And in the midst of the congregation shall she open his mouth.

6He shall find joy and gladness; And she shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name.

7Men of naught shall not attain unto her; And men of arrogancy shall not see her (H S).

8Far is she from scorners; And liars shall not remember her.

9Praise is not comely (G S) in the mouth of the wicked; For it was not apportioned him of God.

10By the mouth of the wise shall praise be spoken; And he that mastereth her (H S) shall learn it.

11Say not, My transgression was of God; For that which he hateth he made not (H S).

12Lest thou say, He it was that made me stumble; For there is no need of men of violence.

13Wickedness and an abomination the Lord hateth; And will not let it befal them that fear him.

14For (?) God created man from the beginning; And put him into the hand of him that would spoil him; And gave him into the hand of his inclination.

15If thou choose, thou mayest keep the commandment; And it is understanding (H) to do his will. If thou trust in him, thou shalt even live.

16Fire and water are poured out before thee: Upon whichsoever thou choosest stretch forth thy hands.

17Death and life are before a man: That which he shall choose shall be given him.

18The wisdom of the Lord aboundeth: He is mighty in power, and beholdeth all.

19The eyes of God see his works; And he will take knowledge of (?) all a man's doing.

20He commanded not a man to sin; Neither did he make men of falsehood to dream. And he hath no mercy on him that worketh vanity; And on him that discloseth a secret.