Sirach 51:13–30

¹³When I was yet young, or ever I went abroad,

I desired wisdom openly in my prayer.

¹⁴I prayed for her before the temple,

And will seek her out even to the end.

¹⁵Even from the flower till the grape was ripe

Hath my heart delighted in her:

My foot went the right way,

From my youth up sought I after her.

¹⁶I bowed down mine ear a little, and received her,

And gat much learning.

¹⁷I ^ggprofited therein,

Therefore will I ascribe the glory unto him that giveth me wisdom.

¹⁸For I purposed to do after her,

And earnestly I followed that which is good;

So shall I not be confounded.

¹⁹My soul hath wrestled with her,

And in my doings I was exact:

I stretched forth my hands to the heaven above,

And bewailed my ignorances of her.

²⁰I directed my soul unto her,

And I found her in pureness:

I have had my heart joined with her from the beginning,

Therefore shall I not be forsaken.

²¹My heart was troubled in seeking her:

Therefore have I gotten a good possession.

²²The Lord hath given me a tongue for my reward,

And I will praise him therewith.

²³Draw near unto me, you unlearned,

And dwell in the house of learning.

²⁴Wherefore are you slow, and what say you of these things,

Seeing your souls are very thirsty?

²⁵I opened my mouth, and said,

Buy her for yourselves ^hwithout money.

²⁶ⁱPut your neck ⁱunder the yoke,

And let your soul receive instruction:

^kShe is hard at hand to find.

²⁷Behold with your eyes, ^lhow that I have had but little labour,

And have gotten unto me much rest.

^28mGet learning ⁿwith a great sum of money,

And get ⁿmuch gold by her.

^29oLet your soul rejoice in his mercy,

And be not ashamed of his praise.

^30pWork your work betimes,

And in his time ^qhe will give you your reward.