Sirach 39

Geneva(i) 1 He onely that applieth his minde to the Law of the most High, and is occupied in the meditation thereof, seeketh out the wisdome of all the ancient, and exerciseth himselfe in the prophecies. 2 He keepeth the sayings of famous men, and entreth in also to the secrets of darke sentences. 3 He seeketh out the mysterie of graue sentences, and exerciseth himselfe in darke parables. 4 Hee shall serue among great men, and appeare before the prince: he shall trauaile through strange countreys: for he hath tried the good and the euill among men. 5 He wil giue his heart to resort early vnto the Lord that made him, and to pray before the most High, and will open his mouth in prayer, and pray for his sinnes. 6 When the great Lord will, he shall be filled with the Spirite of vnderstanding, that hee may powre out wise sentences, and giue thankes vnto the Lord in his prayer. 7 He shall direct his counsell, and knowledge: so shall he meditate in his secrets. 8 He shal shewe forth his science and learning, and reioyce in the Law and couenant of the Lord. 9 Many shall commend his vnderstanding, and his memorie shall neuer be put out, nor depart away: but his name shall continue from generation to generation. 10 The congregation shal declare his wisdome, and shewe it. 11 Though he be dead, he shall leaue a greater fame then a thousand: and if he liue still, he shall get the same. 12 Yet will I speake of moe things: for I am full as the moone. 13 Hearken vnto me, ye holy children, & bring forth fruit, as the rose that is planted by the brooks of the fielde, 14 And giue ye a sweete smell as incense, and bring forth flowers as the lillie: giue a smell & sing a song of prayse: blesse the Lord in all his workes. 15 Giue honour vnto his Name, and shew forth his prayse with the songs of your lips, and with harpes, and ye shall say after this maner, 16 All the workes of the Lorde are exceeding good, and all his commandements are done in due season. 17 And none may say, What is this? wherefore is that? for at time couenient they shal al be sought out: at his commaundement the water stood as an heape, and at the worde of his mouth the waters gathered themselues. 18 His whole fauour appeared by his commandement, and none can diminish that which he will saue. 19 The workes of all flesh are before him, and nothing can be hid from his eyes. 20 He seeth from euerlasting to euerlasting, and there is nothing wonderfull vnto him. 21 A man neede not to say, What is this? wherefore is that? for he hath made all things for their owne vse. 22 His blessing shall runne ouer as the streame, and moysten the earth like a flood. 23 As he hath turned the waters into saltnes, so shall the heathen feele his wrath. 24 As his wayes are plaine and right vnto the iust, so are they stumbling blockes to the wicked. 25 For the good, are good things created from the beginning, and euill things for the sinners. 26 The principall thinges for the whole vse of mans life is water, fire, and yron, and salt, and meale, wheat and hony, and milke, the blood of the grape, and oyle, and clothing. 27 All these thinges are for good to the godly: but to the sinners they are turned vnto euill. 28 There be spirits that are created for vegeance, which in their rigour lay on sure strokes: in the time of destruction they shewe foorth their power, and accomplish the wrath of him that made them. 29 Fire, and haile, & famine, and death: all these are created for vengeance. 30 The teeth of wilde beastes, and the scorpions, and the serpents, and the sworde execute vengeance for the destruction of the wicked. 31 They shalbe glad to do his commandements: and when neede is, they shall be readie vpon earth: and when their houre is come, they shall not ouerpasse the commandement. 32 Therefore haue I taken a good courage vnto me from the beginning, and haue thought on these things, and haue put them in writing. 33 All the workes of the Lorde are good, and he giueth euery one in due season, & when neede is: 34 So that a man neede not to say, This is worse then that: for in due seaso they are all worthy praise. 35 And therefore praise the Lorde with whole heart and mouth, and blesse the Name of the Lord.