Ecclesiasticus, 1

1. comes from the LORD and with him it remains forever.

1. All wisdom comes from the Lord, she is with him for ever.

2. The sand of the seashore, the drops of rain, the days of eternity: who can number these?

2. The sands of the sea, the drops of rain, the days of eternity -- who can count them?

3. Heaven's height, earth's breadth, the depths of the abyss: who can explore these?

3. The height of the sky, the breadth of the earth, the depth of the abyss -- who can explore them?

4. Before all things else wisdom was created; and prudent understanding, from eternity.

4. Wisdom was created before everything, prudent understanding subsists from remotest ages.

5. To whom has wisdom's root been revealed? Who knows her subtleties?

5.

6. There is but one, wise and truly awe-inspiring, seated upon his throne:

6. For whom has the root of wisdom ever been uncovered? Her resourceful ways, who knows them?

7. It is the LORD; he created her, has seen her and taken note of her.

7.

8. He has poured her forth upon all his works, upon every living thing according to his bounty; he has lavished her upon his friends.

8. One only is wise, terrible indeed,

9. Fear of the LORD is glory and splendor, gladness and a festive crown.

9. seated on his throne, the Lord. It was he who created, inspected and weighed her up, and then poured her out on all his works-

10. Fear of the LORD warms the heart, giving gladness and joy and length of days.

10. as much to each living creature as he chose -- bestowing her on those who love him.

11. He who fears the LORD will have a happy end; even on the day of his death he will be blessed.

11. The fear of the Lord is glory and pride, happiness and a crown of joyfulness.

12. The beginning of wisdom is fear of the LORD, which is formed with the faithful in the womb.

12. The fear of the Lord gladdens the heart, giving happiness, joy and long life.

13. With devoted men was she created from of old, and with their children her beneficence abides.

13. For those who fear the Lord, all will end well: on their dying day they will be blessed.

14. Fullness of wisdom is fear of the LORD; she inebriates men with her fruits.

14. The basis of wisdom is to fear the Lord; she was created with the faithful in their mothers' womb;

15. Her entire house she fills with choice foods, her granaries with her harvest.

15. she has made a home in the human race, an age -- old foundation, and to their descendants will she faithfully cling.

16. Wisdom's garland is fear of the LORD, with blossoms of peace and perfect health.

16. The fullness of wisdom is to fear the Lord; she intoxicates them with her fruits;

17. Knowledge and full understanding she showers down; she heightens the glory of those who possess her.

17. she fills their entire house with treasures and their storerooms with her produce.

18. The root of wisdom is fear of the LORD; her branches are length of days.

18. The crown of wisdom is to fear the Lord: she makes peace and health flourish.

19. One cannot justify unjust anger; anger plunges a man to his downfall.

19. The Lord has seen and assessed her, he has showered down knowledge and intelligence, he has exalted the renown of those who possess her.

20. A patient man need stand firm but for a time, and then contentment comes back to him.

20. The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and her branches are long life.

21. For a while he holds back his words, then the lips of many herald his wisdom.

21.

22. Among wisdom's treasures is the paragon of prudence; but fear of the LORD is an abomination to the sinner.

22. The rage of the wicked cannot put him in the right, for the weight of his rage is his downfall.

23. If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the LORD will bestow her upon you;

23. A patient person puts up with things until the right time comes: but his joy will break out in the end.

24. For fear of the LORD is wisdom and culture; loyal humility is his delight.

24. Till the time comes he keeps his thoughts to himself, and many a lip will affirm how wise he is.

25. Be not faithless to the fear of the LORD, nor approach it with duplicity of heart.

25. Wisdom's treasuries contain the maxims of knowledge, the sinner, however, holds piety in abhorrence.

26. Play not the hypocrite before men; over your lips keep watch.

26. If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord will bestow it on you.

27. Exalt not yourself lest you fall and bring upon you dishonor;

27. For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction, and what pleases him is faithfulness and gentleness.

28. For then the LORD will reveal your secrets and publicly cast you down,

28. Do not stand out against fear of the Lord, do not practise it with a double heart.

29. Because you approached the fear of the LORD with your heart full of guile.

29. Do not act a part in public, keep watch over your lips.

30.

30. Do not grow too high and mighty, for fear you fall and cover yourself in disgrace; for the Lord would then reveal your secrets and overthrow you before the whole community for not having practised fear of the Lord and for having a heart full of deceit.