Sirach 51:17–27

¹⁷I made progress therein;

to him who gives wisdom I will give glory.

¹⁸For I resolved to live according to wisdom,^z

and I was zealous for the good;

and I shall never be put to shame.

¹⁹My soul grappled with wisdom,

and in my conduct I was strict;^a

I spread out my hands to the heavens,

and lamented my ignorance of her.

²⁰I directed my soul to her,

and through purification I found her.

I gained understanding^b with her from the first,

therefore I will not be forsaken.

²¹My heart was stirred to seek her,

therefore I have gained a good possession.

²²The Lord gave me a tongue as my reward,

and I will praise him with it.

²³Draw near to me, you who are untaught,

and lodge in my school.

²⁴Why do you say you are lacking in these things,^c

and why are your souls very thirsty?

²⁵I opened my mouth and said,

Get these things^d for yourselves without money.

²⁶Put your neck under the yoke,

and let your souls receive instruction;

it is to be found close by.

²⁷See with your eyes that I have labored little

and found myself much rest.