Sirach
As found in the Greek Septuagint
GNB
Chapter 15
The Happiness of Having Wisdom (continued from chapter 14)
Sirach 15:1 If you fear the Lord, you will do this. Master his Law, and you will find Wisdom.
Sirach 15:2 She will come to welcome you, like a mother or a young bride.
Sirach 15:3 She will give you wisdom and knowledge like food and drink.
Sirach 15:4 Rely on her for support, and you will never know the disgrace of failure.
Sirach 15:5 She will make you more honored than all your neighbors; when you speak in the assembly, she will give you the right words.
Sirach 15:6 You will find happiness and genuine joy; your name will be remembered forever.
Sirach 15:7 But people who are foolish or sinful will never even catch sight of Wisdom.
Sirach 15:8 She will have nothing to do with conceited people; she never enters the mind of liars.
Sirach 15:9 It is not appropriate for a sinner to sing hymns of praise, because his worship is insincere.
Sirach 15:10 A hymn should be an expression of wisdom, inspired by the Lord himself.
Sirach 15:11 KJVA
Say not thou, It is through the Lord that I fell away: for thou oughtest not to do the things that he hateth.Sirach 15:12 KJVA
Say not thou, He hath caused me to err: for he hath no need of the sinful man.Sirach 15:13 The Lord hates evil in all its forms, and those who fear the Lord find nothing attractive in evil.
Sirach 15:14 When, in the beginning, the Lord created human beings, he left them free to do as they wished.
Sirach 15:15 If you want to, you can keep the Lord's commands. You can decide whether you will be loyal to him or not.
Sirach 15:16 He has placed fire and water before you; reach out and take whichever you want.
Sirach 15:17 You have a choice between life and death; you will get whichever you choose.
Sirach 15:18 The Lord's wisdom and power are great and he sees everything.
Sirach 15:19 He is aware of everything a person does, and he takes care of those who fear him.
Sirach 15:20 He has never commanded anyone to be wicked or given anyone permission to sin.