Sirach 39:1–11

1 Not so he that applieth himself wto the fear of Godw,

xAnd to set his mindx upon the Law of the Most High;

Who searcheth out the wisdom of all the ancients,

And yis occupiedy zwith the prophets of oldz;

2 Who aheedetha bthe discoursesb of men of renown,

And centerethc dinto the deep things of parablesd;

3 Searcheth out ethe hidden meaninge of proverbs,

And fis conversantf gwith the dark sayings of parablesg;

4 hWho serveth among great men,

And appeareth before princesh;

Who travelleth ithrough the lands of the peoplesi,

jTestethj good and evil among men;

5 Who is careful kto seekk lunto his Makerl,

And mbeforem the Most High nentreateth mercyn;

S(G) Who openeth his mouth in prayer,

And omaketh supplicationo for his sins.

6 pIfp qit seem good to God Most Highq,

rHe shall be filledr with the spirit of understanding.

sHe himself poureth forth wise sayings in double measures,

And giveth thanks tunto the Lord in prayert.

7 He himself udirectethu vcounsel and knowledgev,

wAnd setteth his mindw on xtheirx secrets.

8 He himself declareth ywise instructiony,

And glorieth in the law zof the Lordz.

9 His understanding many do praise,

aAnda never shall bhis nameb be blotted out:

His memory cshall not ceasec,

And his name shall live from generation to generation.

H 10 d eHis wisdome doth fthe congregationf tell forth,

And ghis praiseg the assembly publisheth.

S(G) 11 hIf he live longh, ihe shall be accounted happyi more than a thousand;

And when he cometh to an end, jhis name sufficethj.

(d) Appendix. 39:12–35. Hymn in praise of creation

(= 3 + 3 and 2 + 2 + 3 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 and 3 + 1 distichs).