Sir 1

1 All wisdom cometh from the Lord,
And is with him for ever.
2 The sand of the seas, and the drops of rain,
And the days of eternity, who shall number?
3 The height of the heaven, and the breadth of the earth,
And the deep, and wisdom, who shall search them out?
4 Wisdom hath been created before all things,
And the understanding of prudence from everlasting. 5 ^{▼▼ Verses 5 and 7 are omitted by the best authorities}
6 To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed?
And who hath known her shrewd counsels? 7 ^{▼▼ Verses 5 and 7 are omitted by the best authorities}
8 There is one wise, greatly to be feared,
The Lord sitting upon his throne:
9 He created her,
And saw, and numbered her,
And poured her out upon all his works.
10 She is with all flesh according to his gift;
And he gave her freely to them that love him.
11 The fear of the Lord is glory, and exultation,
And gladness, and a crown of rejoicing.
12 The fear of the Lord shall delight the heart,
And shall give gladness, and joy, and length of days.
13 Whoso feareth the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last,
And in the day of his death he shall be blessed.
14 To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
And it was created together with the faithful in the womb.
15 With men she ^{▼▼ Gr. nested.} laid an eternal foundation;
And with their seed shall she be had in trust.
16 To fear the Lord is the fulness of wisdom;
And she satiateth men with her fruits.
17 She shall fill all her house with desirable things,
And her garners with her produce.
18 The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom,
Making peace and ^{▼▼ Gr. health of cure.} perfect health to flourish. ^{▼▼ The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.}
19 He both saw and numbered her;
He rained down skill and knowledge of understanding,
And exalted the honour of them that hold her fast.
20 To fear the Lord is the root of wisdom;
And her branches are length of days. 21 ^{▼▼ Verse 21 is omitted by the best authorities.}
22

Unjust wrath can never be justified;
For the sway of his wrath is his downfall.
23 A man that is longsuffering will ^{▼▼ Most authorities read resist.} bear ^{▼▼ Or, until his season} for a season,
And afterward gladness shall spring up unto him;
24 He will hide his words ^{▼▼ Or, until his season} for a season,
And the lips of many shall tell forth his understanding.
25 A parable of knowledge is in the treasures of wisdom;
But godliness is an abomination to a sinner.
26 If thou desire wisdom, keep the commandments,
And the Lord shall give her unto thee freely:
27 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction;
And in faith and meekness is his good pleasure.
28 Disobey not the fear of the Lord; ^{▼▼ The remainder of this line is omitted by the best authorities.}
And come not unto him with a double heart.
29 Be not a hypocrite in the mouths of men;
And take good heed to thy lips.
30 Exalt not thyself, lest thou fall,
And bring dishonour upon thy soul;
And so the Lord shall reveal thy secrets,
And shall cast thee down in the midst of the congregation;
Because thou camest not unto the fear of the Lord,
And thy heart was full of deceit.