Sample Sirach « 15 »

15He that fears the Lord will do this;

And he that has possession of the law will obtain her.

2And as a mother shall she meet him,

And receive him as a wife married in her virginity.

3She will feed him with bread of understanding,

And give him water of wisdom to drink.

4He will be stayed upon her, and will not be moved;

And will rely upon her, and will not be confounded.

5And she will exalt him above his neighbors;

And she will open his mouth in the midst of the congregation.

6He will inherit joy, and a crown of gladness,

And an everlasting name.

7Foolish men will not obtain her;

And sinners will not see her.

8She is far from pride;

And liars will not remember her.

9Praise is not comely in the mouth of a sinner;

For it was not sent him from the Lord.

10For praise will be spoken in wisdom;

And the Lord will prosper it.


11Don’t say you, It is through the Lord that I fell away;

For you shall not do the things that he hates.

12Don’t say you, It is he that caused me to err;

For he has no need of a sinful man.

13The Lord hates every abomination;

And those who fear him love it not.

14He himself made man from the beginning,

And left him in the hand of his own counsel.

15If you will, you shall keep the commandments;

And to perform faithfulness is of your own good pleasure.

16He has set fire and water before you:

You will stretch forth your hand to whichever you will.

17Before man is life and death;

And whichever he likes, it shall be given him.

18For great is the wisdom of the Lord:

He is mighty in power, and sees all things;

19And his eyes are upon those who fear him;

And he will take knowledge of every work of man.

20He has not commanded any man to be ungodly;

And he has not given any man licence to sin.