Sirach Chapter 15

1: He that feareth the Lord will do good, and he that hath the knowledge of the law shall obtain her. edit

2: And as a mother shall she meet him, and receive him as a wife married of a virgin. edit

3: With the bread of understanding shall she feed him, and give him the water of wisdom to drink. edit

4: He shall be stayed upon her, and shall not be moved; and shall rely upon her, and shall not be confounded. edit

5: She shall exalt him above his neighbours, and in the midst of the congregation shall she open his mouth. edit

6: He shall find joy and a crown of gladness, and she shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name. edit

7: But foolish men shall not attain unto her, and sinners shall not see her. edit

8: For she is far from pride, and men that are liars cannot remember her. edit

9: Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner, for it was not sent him of the Lord. edit

10: For praise shall be uttered in wisdom, and the Lord will prosper it. edit

11: Say not thou, It is through the Lord that I fell away: for thou oughtest not to do the things that he hateth. edit

12: Say not thou, He hath caused me to err: for he hath no need of the sinful man. edit

13: The Lord hateth all abomination; and they that fear God love it not. edit

14: He himself made man from the beginning, and left him in the hand of his counsel; edit

15: If thou wilt, to keep the commandments, and to perform acceptable faithfulness. edit

16: He hath set fire and water before thee: stretch forth thy hand unto whether thou wilt. edit

17: Before man is life and death; and whether him liketh shall be given him. edit

18: For the wisdom of the Lord is great, and he is mighty in power, and beholdeth all things: edit

19: And his eyes are upon them that fear him, and he knoweth every work of man. edit

20: He hath commanded no man to do wickedly, neither hath he given any man licence to sin. edit