Sirach

Geneva(i) 1 All wisdome commeth of the Lord, and hath bene euer with him and is with him for euer. 2 Who can number the sand of the sea, and the droppes of the raine, and the dayes of the worlde? who can measure the height of heauen, the bredth of the earth, and the depth? 3 Who can finde the wisdome of God which hath bene before all things? 4 Wisdome hath bene created before al things, and ye vnderstanding of prudence from euerlasting. 5 The word of God most high is the fountaine of wisdome, and the euerlasting commandements are the entrance vnto her. 6 Vnto whom hath ye roote of wisdome bene declared? or who hath knowen her wise counsels? 7 Vnto whom hath the doctrine of wisdome bene discouered and shewed? and who hath vnderstood the manifolde entrance vnto her? 8 There is one wise, euen the most high Creator of all things, the Almightie, the King of power and very terrible, which sitteth vpon his throne. 9 He is the Lord, that hath created her thorow the holy Ghost: he hath seene her, numbred her, and measured her. 10 He hath powred her out vpon all his workes, and vpon all flesh, according to his gift, and giueth her abundantly vnto them that loue him. 11 The feare of the Lorde is glory, and gladnes, and reioycing, and a ioyfull crowne. 12 The feare of the Lord maketh a mery heart, and giueth gladnes and ioy and long life. 13 Who so feareth the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last, and he shall finde fauour in the day of his death. 14 The loue of God is honourable wisedome, and vnto whom it appeareth in a vision, they loue it for the vision, and for the knowledge of the great workes thereof. 15 The feare of the Lorde is the beginning of wisdome, and was made with the faithfull in the wombe: she goeth with the chosen women, and is knowen with the righteous and faithfull. 16 The feare of the Lord is an holy knowledge. 17 Holinesse shall preserue, and iustifie the heart, and giueth mirth and gladnesse. 18 Who so feareth the Lord, shall prosper, and in the day of his end, he shall be blessed. 19 She hath built her euerlasting foundations with men, and is giuen to be with their seede. 20 To feare God is the fulnesse of wisdome, and filleth men with her fruites. 21 She filleth their whole house with all things desireable, and the garners with the things, that she bringeth foorth, and both twaine are giftes of God. 22 The feare of the Lorde is the crowne of wisdome, and giueth peace and perfect health: he hath seene her and numbred her. 23 She rayneth downe knowledge, and vnderstanding of wisdome, and hath brought vnto honour, them that possessed her. 24 The feare of the Lorde is the roote of wisedome, and her branches are long life. 25 In the treasures of wisedome is vnderstanding, and holy knowledge, but wisdome is abhorred of sinners. 26 The feare of the Lord driueth out sinne: and when she is present, she driueth away anger. 27 For wicked anger cannot be iustified: for his rashnes in his anger shall be his destruction. 28 A patient man will suffer for a time, and their shall he haue the reward of ioy. 29 He will hide his wordes for a time, and many mens lippes shall speake of his wisdome. 30 In the treasures of wisdome are the secrets of knowledge, but ye sinner abhorreth ye worship of God. 31 If thou desire wisdome, keepe the commandements, and the Lord shall giue her vnto thee, and will fill her treasures. 32 For the feare of ye Lord is wisdome and discipline: he hath pleasure in faith and meekenesse. 33 Be not disobedient to the feare of the Lorde, and come not vnto him with a double heart. 34 Be not an hypocrite that men should speake of thee, but take heede what thou speakest. 35 Exalt not thy selfe, least thou fall and bring thy soule to dishonour, and so God discouer thy secrets, and cast thee downe in the middes of the congregation, because thou wouldest not receiue ye true feare of God, and thine heart is full of deceite.