Sir 39:1 

But he that giveth his mind to the law of the most High, and 

is occupied in the meditation thereof, will seek out the wisdom 

of all the ancient, and be occupied in prophecies. 

Sir 39:2 

He will keep the sayings of the renowned men: and where 

subtil parables are, he will be there also. 

Sir 39:3 

He will seek out the secrets of grave sentences, and be 

conversant in dark parables. 

Sir 39:4 

He shall serve among great men, and appear before princes: he 

will travel through strange countries; for he hath tried the 

good and the evil among men. 

Sir 39:5 

He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made 

him, and will pray before the most High, and will open his mouth 

in prayer, and make supplication for his sins. 

Sir 39:6 

When the great Lord will, he shall be filled with the spirit 

of understanding: he shall pour out wise sentences, and give 

thanks unto the Lord in his prayer. 

Sir 39:7 

He shall direct his counsel and knowledge, and in his secrets 

shall he meditate. 

Sir 39:8 

He shall shew forth that which he hath learned, and shall 

glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord. 

Sir 39:9 

Many shall commend his understanding; and so long as the 

world endureth, it shall not be blotted out; his memorial shall 

not depart away, and his name shall live from generation to 

generation. 

Sir 39:10 

Nations shall shew forth his wisdom, and the congregation 

shall declare his praise. 

Sir 39:11 

If he die, he shall leave a greater name than a thousand: and 

if he live, he shall increase it. 

Sir 39:12 

Yet have I more to say, which I have thought upon; for I am 

filled as the moon at the full. 

Sir 39:13 

Hearken unto me, ye holy children, and bud forth as a rose 

growing by the brook of the field: 

Sir 39:14 

And give ye a sweet savour as frankincense, and flourish as a 

lily, send forth a smell, and sing a song of praise, bless the 

Lord in all his works. 

Sir 39:15 

Magnify his name, and shew forth his praise with the songs of 

your lips, and with harps, and in praising him ye shall say 

after this manner: 

Sir 39:16 

All the works of the Lord are exceeding good, and whatsoever 

he commandeth shall be accomplished in due season. 

Sir 39:17 

And none may say, What is this? wherefore is that? for at 

time convenient they shall all be sought out: at his commandment 

the waters stood as an heap, and at the words of his mouth the 

receptacles of waters. 

Sir 39:18 

At his commandment is done whatsoever pleaseth him; and none 

can hinder, when he will save. 

Sir 39:19 

The works of all flesh are before him, and nothing can be hid 

from his eyes. 

Sir 39:20 

He seeth from everlasting to everlasting; and there is 

nothing wonderful before him. 

Sir 39:21 

A man need not to say, What is this? wherefore is that? for 

he hath made all things for their uses. 

Sir 39:22 

His blessing covered the dry land as a river, and watered it 

as a flood. 

Sir 39:23 

As he hath turned the waters into saltness: so shall the 

heathen inherit his wrath. 

Sir 39:24 

As his ways are plain unto the holy; so are they 

stumblingblocks unto the wicked. 

Sir 39:25 

For the good are good things created from the beginning: so 

evil things for sinners. 

Sir 39:26 

The principal things for the whole use of man's life are 

water, fire, iron, and salt, flour of wheat, honey, milk, and 

the blood of the grape, and oil, and clothing. 

Sir 39:27 

All these things are for good to the godly: so to the sinners 

they are turned into evil. 

Sir 39:28 

There be spirits that are created for vengeance, which in 

their fury lay on sore strokes; in the time of destruction they 

pour out their force, and appease the wrath of him that made 

them. 

Sir 39:29 

Fire, and hail, and famine, and death, all these were created 

for vengeance; 

Sir 39:30 

Teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions, serpents, and the sword 

punishing the wicked to destruction. 

Sir 39:31 

They shall rejoice in his commandment, and they shall be 

ready upon earth, when need is; and when their time is come, 

they shall not transgress his word. 

Sir 39:32 

Therefore from the beginning I was resolved, and thought upon 

these things, and have left them in writing. 

Sir 39:33 

All the works of the Lord are good: and he will give every 

needful thing in due season. 

Sir 39:34 

So that a man cannot say, This is worse than that: for in 

time they shall all be well approved. 

Sir 39:35 

And therefore praise ye the Lord with the whole heart and 

mouth, and bless the name of the Lord.