【Sirach】Chapter 15 << Last Chapter Next Chapter >>

15:1 He who fears the LORD will do this; he who is practiced in the law will come to wisdom.

15:2 Motherlike she will meet him, like a young bride she will embrace him,

15:3 Nourish him with the bread of understanding, and give him the water of learning to drink.

15:4 He will lean upon her and not fall, he will trust in her and not be put to shame.

15:5 She will exalt him above his fellows; in the assembly she will make him eloquent.

15:6 Joy and gladness he will find, an everlasting name inherit.

15:7 Worthless men will not attain to her, haughty men will not behold her.

15:8 Far from the impious is she, not to be spoken of by liars.

15:9 Unseemly is praise on a sinner’s lips, for it is not accorded to him by God.

15:10 But praise is offered by the wise man’s tongue; its rightful steward will proclaim it.

15:11 Say not: "It was God’s doing that I fell away"; for what he hates he does not do.

15:12 Say not: "It was he who set me astray"; for he has no need of wicked man.

15:13 Abominable wickedness the LORD hates, he does not let it befall those who fear him.

15:14 When God, in the beginning, created man, he made him subject to his own free choice.

15:15 If you choose you can keep the commandments; it is loyalty to do his will.

15:16 There are set before you fire and water; to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand.

15:17 Before man are life and death, whichever he chooses shall be given him.

15:18 Immense is the wisdom of the LORD; he is mighty in power, and all-seeing.

15:19 The eyes of God see all he has made; he understands man’s every deed.

15:20 No man does he command to sin, to none does he give strength for lies.

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