Sir 39:1 But he that giveth his mind to the law
of the most High, and is occupied in the meditation thereof, will seek out
the wisdom of all the ancient, and be occupied in prophecies.
Sir 39:2 He will keep the sayings of the renowned men: and where subtil
parables are, he will be there also.
Sir 39:3 He will seek out the secrets of grave sentences, and be conversant
in dark parables.
Sir 39:4 He shall serve among great men, and appear before princes: he will
travel through strange countries; for he hath tried the good and the evil
among men.
Sir 39:5 He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him,
and will pray before the most High, and will open his mouth in prayer, and
make supplication for his sins.
Sir 39:6 When the great Lord will, he shall be filled with the spirit of
understanding: he shall pour out wise sentences, and give thanks unto the
Lord in his prayer.
Sir 39:7 He shall direct his counsel and knowledge, and in his secrets shall
he meditate.
Sir 39:8 He shall shew forth that which he hath learned, and shall glory in
the law of the covenant of the Lord.
Sir 39:9 Many shall commend his understanding; and so long as the world
endureth, it shall not be blotted out; his memorial shall not depart away,
and his name shall live from generation to generation.
Sir 39:10 Nations shall shew forth his wisdom, and the congregation shall
declare his praise.
Sir 39:11 If he die, he shall leave a greater name than a thousand: and if
he live, he shall increase it.
Sir 39:12 Yet have I more to say, which I have thought upon; for I am filled
as the moon at the full.
Sir 39:13 Hearken unto me, ye holy children, and bud forth as a rose growing
by the brook of the field:
Sir 39:14 And give ye a sweet savour as frankincense, and flourish as a
lily, send forth a smell, and sing a song of praise, bless the Lord in all
his works.
Sir 39:15 Magnify his name, and shew forth his praise with the songs of your
lips, and with harps, and in praising him ye shall say after this manner:
Sir 39:16 All the works of the Lord are exceeding good, and whatsoever he
commandeth shall be accomplished in due season.
Sir 39:17 And none may say, What is this? wherefore is that? for at time
convenient they shall all be sought out: at his commandment the waters stood
as an heap, and at the words of his mouth the receptacles of waters.
Sir 39:18 At his commandment is done whatsoever pleaseth him; and none can
hinder, when he will save.
Sir 39:19 The works of all flesh are before him, and nothing can be hid from
his eyes.
Sir 39:20 He seeth from everlasting to everlasting; and there is nothing
wonderful before him.
Sir 39:21 A man need not to say, What is this? wherefore is that? for he
hath made all things for their uses.
Sir 39:22 His blessing covered the dry land as a river, and watered it as a
flood.
Sir 39:23 As he hath turned the waters into saltness: so shall the heathen
inherit his wrath.
Sir 39:24 As his ways are plain unto the holy; so are they stumblingblocks
unto the wicked.
Sir 39:25 For the good are good things created from the beginning: so evil
things for sinners.
Sir 39:26 The principal things for the whole use of man's life are water,
fire, iron, and salt, flour of wheat, honey, milk, and the blood of the
grape, and oil, and clothing.
Sir 39:27 All these things are for good to the godly: so to the sinners they
are turned into evil.
Sir 39:28 There be spirits that are created for vengeance, which in their
fury lay on sore strokes; in the time of destruction they pour out their
force, and appease the wrath of him that made them.
Sir 39:29 Fire, and hail, and famine, and death, all these were created for
vengeance;
Sir 39:30 Teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions, serpents, and the sword
punishing the wicked to destruction.
Sir 39:31 They shall rejoice in his commandment, and they shall be ready
upon earth, when need is; and when their time is come, they shall not
transgress his word.
Sir 39:32 Therefore from the beginning I was resolved, and thought upon
these things, and have left them in writing.
Sir 39:33 All the works of the Lord are good: and he will give every needful
thing in due season.
Sir 39:34 So that a man cannot say, This is worse than that: for in time
they shall all be well approved.
Sir 39:35 And therefore praise ye the Lord with the whole heart and mouth,
and bless the name of the Lord.