Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 24

24:1

Wisdom will praise her own soul,

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24:2

She will open her mouth in the congregation of the Most High,

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24:3

“I came out of the mouth of the Most High,

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24:4

I lived in high places,

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24:5

Alone I surrounded the circuit of heaven,

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24:6

In the waves of the sea, and in all the earth,

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24:7

With all these I sought rest.

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24:8

Then the Creator of all things gave me a command.

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24:9

He created me from the beginning, before the ages.

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24:10

In the holy tabernacle, I ministered before him.

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24:11

In the beloved city, likewise he gave me rest.

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24:12

I took root in a people that was honoured,

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24:13

I was exalted like a cedar in Lebanon,

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24:14

I was exalted like a palm tree on the sea shore,

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24:15

Like cinnamon and aspalathus, I have given a scent to perfumes.

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24:16

Like the terebinth, I stretched out my branches.

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24:17

Like the vine, I put forth grace.

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24:19

“Come to me, all you who desire me,

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24:20

For my memory is sweeter than honey,

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24:21

Those who eat me will be hungry for more.

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24:22

He who obeys me will not be ashamed.

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24:23

All these things are the book of the covenant of the Most High God,

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24:25

It is he who makes wisdom abundant, as Pishon,

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24:26

He makes understanding full as the Euphrates,

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24:27

who makes instruction shine forth as the light,

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24:28

The first man didn’t know her perfectly.

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24:29

For her thoughts are filled from the sea,

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24:30

I came out as a canal stream from a river,

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24:31

I said, “I will water my garden,

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24:32

I will yet bring instruction to light as the morning,

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24:33

I will continue to pour out teaching like prophecy,

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24:34

See that I have not laboured for myself only,

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