Sirach

1He that fears the Lord will do this; And he that has possession of the law shall obtain her.

2And as a mother shall she meet him, And receive him as a wife married in her virginity.

3With bread of understanding shall she feed him, And give him water of wisdom to drink.

4He shall be stayed upon her, and shall not be moved; And shall rely upon her, and shall not be confounded.

5And she shall exalt him above his neighbors; And in the midst of the congregation shall she open his mouth.

6He shall inherit joy, and a crown of gladness, And an everlasting name.

7Foolish men shall not obtain her; And sinners shall not see her.

8She is far from pride; And liars shall not remember her.

9Praise is not comely in the mouth of a sinner; For it was not sent him from the Lord.

10For praise shall be spoken in wisdom; And the Lord will prosper it.

11Say not you, It is through the Lord that I fell away; For you shall not do the things that he hates.

12Say not you, It is he that caused me to err; For he has no need of a sinful man.

13The Lord hates every abomination; And they that fear him love it not.

14He himself made man from the beginning, And left him in the hand of his own counsel.

15If you will, you shall keep the commandments; And to perform faithfulness is of your own good pleasure.

16He has set fire and water before you: You shall stretch forth your hand to whichever you will.

17Before man is life and death; And whichever he likes, it shall be given him.

18For great is the wisdom of the Lord: He is mighty in power, and sees all things;

19And his eyes are upon them that fear him; And he will take knowledge of every work of man.

20He has not commanded any man to be ungodly; And he has not given any man licence to sin.