The Wisdom of Ben Sirach

The Jewish scribe Ben Sira of Jerusalem wrote the Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach, also called the Wisdom of Ben Sira, or Ecclesiasticus, in Hebrew, in Alexandria, Egypt, circa 180 to 175 B.C. We have used the Authorized King James Version of the Apocrypha.



All wisdom comes from the Lord, and is with Him forever. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 1:1


Wisdom was created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 1:4


The Word of God most high is the fountain of wisdom; and her ways are everlasting commandments. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 1:5


The Lord created wisdom, and saw her, and numbered her, and poured her out upon all his works. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 1:9


A furious man cannot be justified, for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 1:22


If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord shall give her to you. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 1:26


Be not an hypocrite in the sight of men, and take good heed what you speak. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 1:29


If you come to serve the Lord, prepare your soul for temptation. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 2:1


Whatever is brought upon you, take cheerfully, and be patient when you are changed to a low estate; for gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable souls in the furnace of adversity. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 2:4-5


Honor your father and mother (Wisdom and Love) both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon you from them, for the blessing of the father establishes the houses of children; but the curse of the mother roots out foundations. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 3:8-9


The greater you are, the more humble yourself, and you shall find favor before the Lord. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 3:18

Many are in high place, and of renown: but mysteries are revealed to the meek. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 3:19

Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for many are deceived by their own vain opinion; and an evil suspicion overthrows their judgment. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 3:23-24


Do not claim knowledge that you do not have. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 33:25


Do not make a hungry soul sorrowful, or provoke a man in his distress. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 4:2


Do not add more trouble to a heart that is vexed. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 4:3


At first, wisdom will walk with you by crooked ways, bring fear and dread upon you, and torment you with her discipline, until she may trust your soul, and try you by her laws. Then will she return you to the straight way, and comfort you, and shew you her secrets; if you go wrong, she will forsake you, and give you over to your own ruin. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 4:17-19


Observe opportunity, and beware of evil; be not ashamed when it concerns your soul, for there is a shame that brings sin, and a shame which is glory and grace. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 4:20-21


Do not refrain to speak when you can do good, and do not hide your wisdom in her beauty; for by speech, wisdom shall be known, and learning by the word of the tongue. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 4:23-24


Strive for the truth unto death, and the Lord will fight for you. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 4:28


Let not your hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when you should repay. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 4:31


Do not set not your heart upon unjustly gotten goods, for they will not profit you in the day of calamity. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 5:8


Honor and shame is in talk, and your tongue is your fall. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 5:13


Do not be ignorant of anything in a great matter or a small. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 5:15


Be at peace with many: yet have but one counselor of a thousand. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 6:6


If you would make a friend, prove him first and do not credit him hastily. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 6:7

Separate yourself from your enemies, and take heed of your friends. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 6:13

Wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 6:22


Do no evil, so shall no harm come to you. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 7:1


Sow in the furrows of unrighteousness, and you will reap them sevenfold. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 7:3


Do not talk a lot among your elders, or babble when you pray. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 7:14


Do not reproach a man who turns from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 8:5


Do not rise up in anger at the presence of an injurious person, lest he lie in wait to entrap you in your words. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 8:11


Do not consult with a fool, for he cannot keep counsel. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 8:17


Do not open your heart to every man, lest he repay you with a shrewd turn. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 8:19


As the judge of the people is himself, so are his officers; and what manner of man the ruler of the city is, such are all they who dwell therein. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 10:2


Pride is hateful before God and man: and by both doth one commit iniquity. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 10:7


Because of unrighteous dealings, injuries, and riches got by deceit, a country is translated from one people to another. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 10:8


Nothing is more wicked than a covetous man: for he puts his own soul on sale. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 10:9


The beginning of pride is when one departs from God, and his heart is turned away from his Maker. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 10:12


Pride is the beginning of sin. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 10:13


They who fear the Lord are a sure seed, and they who love Him an honorable plant: they who regard not the law are a dishonorable seed; they who transgress the commandments are a deceivable seed. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 10:19


It is not meet to despise the poor man who has understanding; neither is it convenient to magnify a sinful man. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 10:23


No man is greater than he who fears the Lord. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 10:24


Better is he who labors, and abounds in all things, than he who boasts, and wants bread. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 10:27


Wisdom lifts up the head of him who is of low degree, and makes him to sit among great men. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 11:1


Commend not a man for his beauty; neither abhor a man for his outward appearance. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 11:2


Blame not before you have examined the truth: understand first, and then rebuke. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 11:7


Answer not before you have heard the cause: neither interrupt men in the midst of their talk. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 11:8


Strive not in a matter that does not concern you; and sit not in judgment with sinners. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 11:9


Meddle not with many matters: for if you meddle much, you shall not be innocent; and if you follow after, you shall not obtain, neither shall you escape by fleeing. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 11:10


Prosperity and adversity, life and death, poverty and riches, come of the Lord. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 11:14


Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the law are of the Lord: love, and the way of good works, are from Him. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 11:15


Marvel not at the works of sinners; but trust in the Lord, and abide in your labor: for it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord on the sudden to make a poor man rich. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 11:21


In the day of prosperity there is a forgetfulness of affliction: and in the day of affliction there is no more remembrance of prosperity. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 11:25


It is an easy thing unto the Lord in the day of death to reward a man according to his ways. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 11:26


Judge none blessed before his death: for a man shall be known in his children. Sirach 11:28


There can no good come to him who is always occupied in evil, nor to him who gives no alms. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 12:3


Give to the godly man, and help not a sinner. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 12:4


Give unto the good, and help not the sinner. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 12:7


A friend cannot be known in prosperity: and an enemy cannot be hidden in adversity. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 12:8


Never trust an enemy: for as iron rusts, so is his wickedness. Though he humble himself, yet take good heed and beware of him, and you shall be to him as if you had wiped a looking glass, and you shalt know that his rust has not been altogether wiped away. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 12:10-11


All flesh consorts according to kind, and a man will cleave to his like. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 13:16


The heart of a man changes his countenance, whether it be for good or evil: and a merry heart makes a cheerful countenance. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 13:25


A cheerful countenance is a token of a heart that is in prosperity. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 13:26


Blessed is he whose conscience has not condemned him, and who is not fallen from his hope in the Lord. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 14:2


The envious man has a wicked eye; he turns away his face, and despises men. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 14:8


A covetous man's eye is not satisfied with his portion. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 14:9


Blessed is the man who meditates good things in wisdom, and reasons of holy things by his understanding. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 14:20


Make way for every work of mercy: for every man shall find according to his works. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 16:14


Turn again to the most High, and turn away from iniquity: for he will lead thee out of darkness into the light of health. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 17:26


The Lord only is righteous, and there is none other but he, who governs the world with the palm of his hand, and all things obey his will: for he is the King of all, by his power dividing holy things among them from profane. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 18:2-3


Learn before you speak. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 18:19


Before judgment examine yourself, and in the day of visitation you shalt find mercy. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 18:20


Let nothing hinder thee to pay your vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 18:22


Before you pray, prepare yourself; and be not as one who tempts the Lord. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 18:23


Go not after your lusts, but refrain yourself from thine appetites. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 18:30


He who can rule his tongue shall live without strife; and he who hates babbling shall have less evil. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 19:6


Repeat not to another what is told to you, and you shall never fare the worse. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 19:7


Whether it be to friend or foe, do not talk of other men's lives. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 19:8


If you have heard a word [of gossip], let it die with you. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 19:10


The knowledge of the commandments of the Lord is the doctrine of life: and they who do things that please Him shall receive the fruit of the tree of immortality. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 19:19


The fear of the Lord is all wisdom; and in all wisdom is the performance of the law, and the knowledge of His omnipotency. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 19:20


There is a wickedness, and an abomination; and there is a fool wanting in wisdom. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 19:23


He who has small understanding, and fears God, is better than one who has much wisdom, and transgresses the law of the most High. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 19:24


There is an exquisite subtlety, and the same is unjust; and there is one who turns aside to make judgment appear; and there is a wise man who justifies in judgment. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 19:25


A wicked man hangs down his head sadly; but inwardly is full of deceit, casting down his countenance, and making as if he heard not: where he is not known, he will do thee a mischief before you be aware. If for want of power he is hindered from sinning, yet when he finds opportunity he will do evil. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 19:26-28


It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly: and he who confesses his fault shall be preserved from hurt. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 20:2


How good is it, when you are reproved, to repent! for so shall you escape wilful sin. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 20:3


He who uses many words shall be abhorred. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 20:8


There is a sinner that has good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turns to loss. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 20:9


An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 20:19


A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 20:24


The disposition of a liar is dishonorable, and his shame is ever with him. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 20:26


All iniquity is as a two-edged sword, the wounds whereof cannot be healed. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 21:3


A man of understanding knows when he slips. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 21:7


The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel, and he will hold no knowledge as long as he lives. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 21:14


The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wise is in their heart. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 21:26


When the ungodly curses Satan, he curses his own soul. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 21:27


A whisperer defiles his own soul, and is hated wheresoever he dwells. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 21:28


Whoso teaches a fool is as one that glues a potsherd together, and as he that wakes one from a sound sleep. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 22:7


He who tells a tale to a fool speaks to one in a slumber. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 22:8


A fearful heart in the imagination of a fool cannot stand against any fear. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 22:18


He that pricks the eye will make tears to fall: and he that pricks the heart makes it to shew her knowledge. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 22:19


Use not your mouth to intemperate swearing, for therein is the word of sin. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 23:13


The man that is accustomed to damning words will never be reformed all the days of his life. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 23:15


Wisdom makes the doctrine of knowledge appear as the light. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 24:27


The love of the Lord passes all things for illumination. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 25:11


The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto him. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 25:12


As when one sifts with a sieve, the refuse remains; so the filth of man in his talk. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 27:4


The furnace proves the potter's vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 27:5


Praise no man before you hear him speak; for this is the trial of men. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 27:7


Whoso digs a pit shall fall therein: and he who sets a trap shall be taken therein. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 27:26


He who works mischief, it shall fall upon him, and he shall not know whence it comes. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 27:27


Forgive your neighbor the hurt that he has done you, so shall your sins also be forgiven when you pray. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 28:2


A hasty contention kindles a fire: and an hasty fighting sheds blood. If you blow the spark, it shall burn: if you spit upon it, it shall be quenched: and both these come out of your mouth. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 28:11-12


Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: but not so many as have fallen by the tongue. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 28:18


Weigh your words in a balance, and make a door and bar for your mouth. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 28:25


Lend to your neighbor in time of his need, and pay your neighbor again in due season. Keep your word, and deal faithfully with him, and you shall always find what you need. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 29:2-3


Lay up your treasure according to the commandments of the most High, and it shall bring thee more profit than gold. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 29:11


Help your neighbor according to your power, and beware that you do not fall into the same. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 29:20


A child left to himself will be wilful. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 30:8


Remove sorrow far from thee: for sorrow has killed many, and there is no profit therein. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 30:23


Envy and wrath shorten the life, and carefulness brings age before the time. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 30:24


When you sit [at table] among many, do not reach your hand out first of all. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 31:18


They who fear the Lord shall find judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 32:16


A sinful man will refuses to be reproved, but finds an excuse according to his will. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 32:17


Do nothing without advice; and when you have once done, repent not. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 32:19


In every good work trust your own soul; for this is the keeping of the commandments. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 32:23


A man of understanding trusts in the law; and the law is faithful unto him, as an oracle. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 33:3


The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 37:17


Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue rules over them continually. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 37:18


The Lord has created medicines out of the earth; and he that is wise will not abhor them. – Wisdom of Ben Sirach 38:4

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References

Read the full text of Wisdom of Jesus son of Sirach, also called the Wisdom of Ben Sira, or Ecclesiasticus, at Early Christian Writings.