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 profited therein, therefore will I ascribe 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 foresaken. 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, ye unlearned, and dwell in the house of learning. ²⁴Wherefore are ye slow, and what say ye to these things, seeing your souls are very thirsty? ²⁵I opened my mouth, and said, Buy her for yourselves without money. ²⁶Put your neck under the yoke, and let your soul receive instruction: she is hard at hand to find. ²⁷Behold with your eyes, how that I have but little labour, and have gotten unto me much rest. ²⁸Get learning with a great sum of money, and get much gold by her. ²⁹Let your soul rejoice in his mercy, and be not ashamed of his praise. ³⁰Work your work betimes, and in his time he will give you your reward.