Sirach 39

1But the one who gives himself over to it and meditates on the law of the Most High will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients, and will occupy himself with prophecies.

2He will preserve the accounts of famous men, and he will enter into the twists of parables.

3He will seek out the hidden things of proverbs, and will occupy himself with the riddles of parables.

4He will serve among great men, and will appear before a ruler; he will travel through the land of foreign nations, for he has tested good and evil among men.

5He will devote his heart to rising early to the Lord who made him, and he will make supplication before the Most High; he will open his mouth in prayer, and he will make supplication for his sins.

6If the great Lord wills, he will be filled with a spirit of understanding; he himself will pour forth words of wisdom like rain, and in prayer he will give thanks to the Lord.

7He himself will direct his counsel and knowledge, and he will reflect on his hidden things.

8He himself makes plain the instruction of his teaching, and in the law of the Lord’s covenant he will boast.

9Many will praise his understanding; it will not be blotted out forever. His remembrance will not depart, and his name will live for generations of generations.

10Nations will recount his wisdom, and the assembly will proclaim his praise.

11If he remains steadfast, he will leave behind a name beyond a thousand; and if he comes to rest, he still accomplishes them.

12Thinking further, I will set forth instruction, and I was filled like the full moon.

13Listen to me, holy sons, and bud forth like a rose growing beside a stream in a field,

14Raise your voices and bless together, and give thanks to Yahweh for all his works.

15With the service of harp and instruments of music, so you shall speak with a shout of praise.

16All the works of God are good, and for every need he provides in its time.

17At his word the waters pile up like a heap, and at the utterance of his mouth are storehouses of water.

18The desire of his will succeeds, and there is no hindrance to his salvation.

19The deeds of all flesh are before him, and nothing is hidden from before his eyes.

20From eternity to eternity he looks on, and nothing is too wondrous or too strong for him.

21One should not say, “Why this and why that?” For everything will prevail in its time.

22Blessings overflowed like the Nile, and like a river they drenched the world.

23So also his wrath will dispossess nations, and he will turn their drink into brine.

24The ways of the blameless are made straight; but for strangers they become ruinous.

25Good is allotted to the good from the beginning; so too, for the wicked, good and evil.

26The essentials for human life are water, fire, iron, and salt; wheat flour, milk, and honey; the blood of the grape, oil, and clothing.

27All these things are for good to the good; so also for the wicked they are turned to harm.

28There are spirits created for judgment, and in their anger they move mountains; at the time of wrath they display their might, and they stir up a storm from the open country.

29Fire and hail, famine and pestilence—these also were created for judgment.

30The teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions and vipers, and a sword that takes vengeance to destroy the wicked— all these were created for their purpose, and they are kept in store until the time they are appointed.

31At his command they rejoice, and in their appointed order they do not rebel against his word.

32Therefore from the beginning I took my stand, and I considered, and I set it down in writing.

33The works of God are all good, and for every need he provides in its time.

34Do not say, “This is bad; what is this?” for everything will prevail in its time.

35Now with all your heart sing for joy, and bless the name of the Holy One.