Sirach 51:13–30

When I was yet young, before I wandered abroad,

I desired her and sought her out.

In my youth I made supplication in prayer;

And I will seek her out even to the end.

She blossomed like a ripening grape,

My heart rejoiced in her.

My foot trod in her footstep,

From my youth I learned Wisdom.

I bowed down mine ear a little and received her,

And much knowledge did I find;

And her yoke was glorious to me,

And to my Teacher do I offer thanks.

I purposed to do good ^〈with her^〈,

And I was not put to shame, for I found her.

My soul was attached to her,

And I turned not away my face from her;

I spread forth my hands to the heaven above,

And for ever and ever I will not go astray from her.

My hand opened her gates,

And I entered unto her, and looked upon her.

I set my soul arightafter her,

And I found her in her purity;

I gat me understanding through her guidance.

Therefore I shall not be forsaken.

My inward part was troubledlike an ovento look upon her,

Therefore have I gotten a good possession.

Jahveh gave me the reward of my lips,

And with my tongue do I praise Him.

Turn in unto me, ye unlearned,

And lodge in my house of instruction.

How long will ye lack these things?

And ⁽how long⁽ shall your soul be so athirst?

I open my mouth and speak of her,

Acquire Wisdom for yourselves without money.

Bring your necks under her yoke,

And her burden let your soul bear;

She is nigh unto them that seek her,

And he that is intent ⁽upon her⁽ findeth her.

Behold with your eyes that I laboured but ⁽little⁽ therein,

And abundance of peace have I found.

Hearken to my teaching, ⁽though ye be but⁽ a few,

And much silver and gold shall ye acquire thereby.

May my soul delight in my Yeshibah;

And ye shall not be put to shame in singing my praise.

Work your work in righteousness,

And He will give you your reward in its time.

^[Blessed be Jahveh; and praised be His Name to generations.

Thus far the words of Simeon the son of Jeshua’, who is called Ben-Sira.

The Wisdom of Simeon, the son of Jeshua’, the son of Eleazar, the son of Sira.

May the Name of Jahveh be blessed from now and unto eternity.^[