Bible in a Year.

On day 282, we studied the beginning of the Maccabean revolt against oppression, highlighting courage and faith. Sirach 1-3 presents us with principles of wisdom and the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 21:29-31 offers practical guidance on judgment and prudence, strengthening our understanding of godly living.

1. Now it came to pass, after that Alexander the son of Philip the Macedonian, who first reigned in Greece, coming out of the land of Cethim, had overthrown Darius king of the Persians and Medes:

2. He fought many battles, and took the strong holds of all, and slew the kings of the earth:

3. And he went through even to the ends of the earth, and took the spoils of many nations: and the earth was quiet before him.

4. And he gathered a power, and a very strong army: and his heart was exalted and lifted up.

5. And he subdued countries of nations, and princes: and they became tributaries to him.

6. And after these things, he fell down upon his bed, and knew that he should die.

7. And he called his servants the nobles that were brought up with him from his youth: and he divided his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive.

8. And Alexander reigned twelve years, and he died.

9. And his servants made themselves kings every one in his place:

10. And they all put crowns upon themselves after his death, and their sons after them many years, and evils were multiplied in the earth.

11. And there came out of them a wicked root, Antiochus the Illustrious, the son of king Antiochus, who had been a hostage at Rome: and he reigned in the hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.

12. In those days there went out of Israel wicked men, and they persuaded many, saying: Let us go, and make a covenant with the heathens that are round about us: for since we departed from them, many evils have befallen us.

13. And the word seemed good in their eyes.

14. And some of the people determined to do this, and went to the king: and he gave them license to do after the ordinances of the heathens.

15. And they built a place of exercise in Jerusalem, according to the laws of the nations:

16. And they made themselves prepuces, and departed from the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathens, and were sold to do evil.

17. And the kingdom was established before Antiochus, and he had a mind to reign over the land of Egypt, that he might reign over two kingdoms.

18. And he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots and elephants, and horsemen, and a great number of ships:

19. And he made war against Ptolemee king of Egypt, but Ptolemee was afraid at his presence, and fled, and many were wounded unto death.

20. And he took the strong cities in the land of Egypt: and he took the spoils of the land of Egypt.

21. And after Antiochus had ravaged Egypt in the hundred and forty-third year, he returned and went up against Israel.

22. And he went up to Jerusalem with a great multitude.

23. And he proudly entered into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof, and the table of proposition, and the pouring vessels, and the vials, and the little mortars of gold, and the veil, and the crowns, and the golden ornament that was before the temple: and he broke them all in pieces.

24. And he took the silver and gold, and the precious vessels: and he took the hidden treasures which he found: and when he had taken all away he departed into his own country.

25. And he made a great slaughter of men, and spoke very proudly.

26. And there was great mourning in Israel, and in every place where they were.

27. And the princes, and the ancients mourned, and the virgins and the young men were made feeble, and the beauty of the women was changed.

28. Every bridegroom took up lamentation: and the bride that set in the marriage bed, mourned:

29. And the land was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was covered with confusion.

30. And after two full years the king sent the chief collector of his tributes to the cities of Juda, and he came to Jerusalem with a great multitude.

31. And he spoke to them peaceable words in deceit: and they believed him.

32. And he fell upon the city suddenly, and struck it with a great slaughter, and destroyed much people in Israel.

33. And he took the spoils of the city, and burnt it with fire, and threw down the houses thereof, and the walls thereof round about:

34. And they took the women captive, and the children, and the cattle they possessed.

35. And they built the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with strong towers, and made it a fortress for them:

36. And they placed there a sinful nation, wicked men, and they fortified themselves therein: and they stored up armour, and victuals, and gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem;

37. And laid them up there: and they became a great snare.

38. And this was a place to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an evil devil in Israel.

39. And they shed innocent blood round about the sanctuary, and defiled the holy place.

40. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled away by reason of them, and the city was made the habitation to strangers, and she became a stranger to her own seed, and her children forsook her.

41. Her sanctuary was desolate like a wilderness, her festival days were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach, her honours were brought to nothing.

42. Her dishonour was increased according to her glory, and her excellency was turned into mourning.

43. And king Antiochus wrote to all his kingdom, that all the people should be one: and every one should leave his own law.

44. And all nations consented according to the word of king Antiochus.

45. And many of Israel consented to his service, and they sacrificed to idols, and profaned the sabbath.

46. And the king sent letters by the hands of messengers to Jerusalem, and to all the cities of Juda: that they should follow the law of the nations of the earth,

47. And should forbid holocausts and sacrifices, and atonements to be made in the temple of God.

48. And should prohibit the sabbath, and the festival days, to be celebrated.

49. And he commanded the holy places to be profaned, and the holy people of Israel.

50. And he commanded altars to be built, and temples, and idols, and swine's flesh to be immolated, and unclean beasts.

51. And that they should leave their children uncircumcised, and let their souls be defiled with all uncleannesses, and abominations, to the end that they should forget the law, and should change all the justifications of God.

52. And that whosoever would not do according to the word of king Antiochus should be put to death.

53. According to all these words he wrote to his whole kingdom, and he appointed rulers over the people that should force them to do these things.

54. And they commanded the cities of Juda to sacrifice.

55. Then many of the people were gathered to them that had forsaken the law of the Lord: and they committed evils in the land:

56. And they drove away the people of Israel into lurking holes, and into the secret places of fugitives.

57. On the fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in the hundred and forty-fifth year, king Antiochus set up the abominable idol of desolation upon the altar of God, and they built altars throughout all the cities of Juda round about:

58. And they burnt incense, and sacrificed at the doors of the houses, and in the streets.

59. And they cut in pieces, and burnt with fire the books of the law of God:

60. And every one with whom the books of the testament of the Lord were found, and whosoever observed the law of the Lord, they put to death, according to the edict of the king.

61. Thus by their power did they deal with the people of Israel, that were found in the cities month after month.

62. And on the five and twentieth day of the month they sacrificed upon the altar of the idol that was over against the altar of God.

63. Now the women that circumcised their children, were slain according to the commandment of king Antiochus.

64. And they hanged the children about their necks in all their houses: and those that had circumcised them, they put to death.

65. And many of the people of Israel determined with themselves, that they would not eat unclean things: and they chose rather to die than to be defiled with unclean meats.

66. And they would not break the holy law of God, and they were put to death:

67. And there was very great wrath upon the people.

Chapter 1

1. All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him, and is before all time.

2. Who hath numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of the world? Who hath measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss?

3. Who hath searched out the wisdom of God that goeth before all things?

4. Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.

5. The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdom, and her ways are everlasting commandments.

6. To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed, and who hath known her wise counsels?

7. To whom hath the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made manifest? and who hath understood the multiplicity of her steps?

8. There is one most high Creator Almighty, and a powerful king, and greatly to be feared, who sitteth upon his throne, and is the God of dominion.

9. He created her in the Holy Ghost, and saw her, and numbered her, and measured her.

10. And he poured her out upon all his works, and upon all flesh according to his gift, and hath given her to them that love him.

11. The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of joy.

12. The fear of the Lord shall delight the heart, and shall give joy, and gladness, and length of days.

13. With him that feareth the Lord, it shall go well in the latter end, and in the day of his death he shall be blessed.

14. The love of God is honourable wisdom.

15. Ana they to whom she shall shew herself love her by the sight, and by the knowledge of her great works.

16. The fear of the Lord Is the beginning of wisdom, and was created with the faithful in the womb, it walketh with chosen women, and is known with the just and faithful.

17. The fear of the Lord is the religiousness of knowledge.

18. Religiousness shall keep and justify the heart, it shall give joy and gladness.

19. It shall go well with him that feareth the Lord, and in the days of his end he shall be blessed.

20. To fear God is the fulness of wisdom, and fulness is from the fruits thereof.

21. She shall fill all her house with her increase, and the storehouses with her treasures.

22. The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, filling up peace and the fruit of salvation:

23. And it hath seen, and numbered her: but both are the gifts of God.

24. Wisdom shall distribute knowledge, and understanding of prudence: and exalteth the glory of them that hold her.

25. The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord: and the branches thereof are longlived.

26. In the treasures of wisdom is understanding, and religiousness of knowledge: but to sinners wisdom is an abomination.

27. The fear of the Lord driveth out sin:

28. For he that is without fear, cannot be justified: for the wrath of his high spirits is his ruin.

29. A patient man shall bear for a time, and afterwards joy shall be restored to him.

30. A good understanding will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.

31. In the treasures of wisdom is the signification of discipline:

32. But the worship of God is an abomination to a sinner.

33. Son, if thou desire wisdom, keep justice, and God will give her to thee.

34. For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline: and that which is agreeable to him,

35. Is faith, and meekness: and he will fill up his treasures.

36. Be not incredulous to the fear of the Lord: and come not to him with a double heart.

37. Be not a hypocrite in the sight of men, and let not thy lips be a stumblingblock to thee.

38. Watch over them, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul,

39. And God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation.

40. Because thou camest to the Lord wickedly, and thy heart is full of guile and deceit.

Chapter 2

1. Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation.

2. Humble thy heart, and endure: incline thy ear, and receive the words of understanding: and make not haste in the time of clouds.

3. Wait on God with patience: join thyself to God, and endure, that thy life may be increased in the latter end.

4. Take all that shall be brought upon thee: and in thy sorrow endure, and in thy humiliation keep patience.

5. For gold and silver are tried in the fire, but acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.

6. Believe God, and he will recover thee: and direct thy way, and trust in him. Keep his fear, and grow old therein.

7. Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy: and go not aside from him, lest ye fall.

8. Ye that fear the Lord, believe him: and your reward shall not be made void.

9. Ye that fear the Lord, hope in him: and mercy shall come to you for your delight.

10. Ye that fear the Lord, love him, and your hearts shall be enlightened.

11. My children behold the generations of men: and know ye that no one hath hoped in the Lord, and hath been confounded.

12. For who hath continued in his commandment, and hath been forsaken? or who hath called upon him, and he despised him?

13. For God is compassionate and merciful, and will forgive sins in the day of tribulation: and he is a protector to all that seek him in truth.

14. Woe to them that are of a double heart and to wicked lips, and to the hands that do evil, and to the sinner that goeth on the earth two ways.

15. Woe to them that are fainthearted, who believe not God: and therefore they shall not be protected by him.

16. Woe to them that have lost patience, and that have forsaken the right ways, and have gone aside into crooked ways.

17. And what will they do, when the Lord shall begin to examine?

18. They that fear the Lord, will not be incredulous to his word: and they that love him, will keep his way.

19. They that fear the Lord, will seek after the things that are well pleasing to him: and they that love him, shall be filled with his law.

20. They that fear the Lord, will prepare their hearts, and in his sight will sanctify their souls.

21. They that fear the Lord, keep his Commandments, and will have patience even until his visitation,

22. Saying: If we do not penance, we shall fall into the hands of the Lord, and not into the hands of men.

23. For according to his greatness, so also is his mercy with him.

Chapter 3

1. The sons of wisdom are the church of the just: and their generation, obedience and love.

2. Children, hear the judgment of your father, and so do that you may be saved.

3. For God hath made the father honourable to the children: and seeking the judgment of the mothers, hath confirmed it upon the children.

4. He that loveth God, shall obtain pardon for his sine by prayer, and shall refrain himself from them, and shall be heard in the prayer of days.

5. And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up a treasure.

6. He that honoureth his father shall have joy in his own children, and in the day of his prayer he shall be heard.

7. He that honoureth his father shall enjoy a long life: and he that obeyeth the father, shall be a comfort to his mother.

8. He that feareth the Lord, honoureth his parents, and will serve them as his masters that brought him into the world.

9. Honour thy father, in work and word, and all patience,

10. That a blessing may come upon thee from him, and his blessing may remain in the latter end.

11. The father's blessing establisheth the houses of the children: but the mother's curse rooteth up the foundation.

12. Glory not in the dishonour of thy father: for his shame is no glory to thee.

13. For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father, and a father without honour is the disgrace of the son.

14. Son, support the old age of thy father, and grieve him not in his life;

15. And if his understanding fail, have patience with him, and despise him not when thou art in thy strength: for the relieving of the father shall not be for- gotten.

16. For good shall be repaid to thee for the sin of thy mother.

17. And in justice thou shalt be built up, and in the day of affliction thou shalt be remembered: and thy sine shall melt away as the ice in the fair warm weather.

18. Of what an evil fame is he that forsaketh his father: and he is cursed of God that angereth his mother.

19. My son, do thy works in meekness, and thou shalt be beloved above the glory of men.

20. The greater thou art, the more humble thyself in all things, and thou shalt find grace before God:

21. For great is the power of God alone, and he is honoured by the humble.

22. Seek not the things that are too high for thee, and search not into things above thy ability: but the things that God hath commanded thee, think on them always, and in many of his works be not curious.

23. For it is not necessary for thee to see with thy eyes those things that are hid.

24. In unnecessary matters be not over curious, and in many of his works thou shalt not be inquisitive.

25. For many things are shewn to thee above the understanding of men.

26. And the suspicion of them hath deceived many, and hath detained their minds in vanity.

27. A hard heart shall fear evil at the last: and he that loveth danger shall perish in it.

28. A heart that goeth two ways shall not have success, and the perverse of heart shall be scandalized therein.

29. A wicked heart shall be laden with sorrows, and the sinner will add sin to sin.

30. The congregation of the proud shall not be healed: for the plant of wickedness shall take root in them, and it shall not be perceived.

31. The heart of the wise is understood in wisdom, and a good ear will hear wisdom with all desire.

32. A wise heart, and which hath under- standing, will abstain from sine, and in the works of justice shall have success.

33. Water quencheth a flaming fire, and alms resisteth sins:

34. And God provideth for him that sheweth favour: he remembereth him afterwards, and in the time of his fall he shall find a sure stay.

29. The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous, correcteth his way.

30. There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord.

31. The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the Lord giveth safety.