Ecclesiasticus 39
39
The Scribe Learned in the Law of God
1But he that giveth his mind to the law of the most High, and is occupied in the meditation thereof, will seek out the wisdom of all the ancient, and be occupied in prophecies. 2#Prov 1.5,6; Wis 8.8. He will keep the sayings of the renowned men: and where subtle parables are, he will be there also. 3He will seek out the secrets of grave sentences, and be conversant in dark parables. 4He shall serve among great men, and appear before princes: he will travel through strange countries; for he hath tried the good and the evil among men. 5He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and will pray before the most High, and will open his mouth in prayer, and make supplication for his sins. 6When the great Lord will, he shall be filled with the spirit of understanding: he shall pour out wise sentences, and give thanks unto the Lord in his prayer. 7He shall direct his counsel and knowledge, and in his secrets shall he meditate. 8He shall show forth that which he hath learned, and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord. 9#Ecclus 37.26; 44.14. Many shall commend his understanding; and so long as the world endureth, it shall not be blotted out; his memorial shall not depart away, and his name shall live from generation to generation. 10#Ecclus 44.15. Nations shall show forth his wisdom, and the congregation shall declare his praise. 11If he die, he shall leave a greater name than a thousand: and if he live, he shall increase it.
Praise to God for His Great Works
12Yet have I more to say, which I have thought upon; for I am filled as the moon at the full. 13Hearken unto me, ye holy children, and bud forth as a rose growing by the brook of the field: 14and give ye a sweet savor as frankincense, and flourish as a lily, send forth a smell, and sing a song of praise, bless the Lord in all his works. 15Magnify his name, and show forth his praise with the songs of your lips, and with harps, and in praising him ye shall say after this manner: 16#Gen 1.31. All the works of the Lord are exceeding good, and whatsoever he commandeth shall be accomplished in due season. 17#Ps 33.7. And none may say, What is this? wherefore is that? for at time convenient they shall all be sought out: at his commandment the waters stood as an heap, and at the words of his mouth the receptacles of waters. 18#Ps 135.6. At his commandment is done whatsoever pleaseth him; and none can hinder, when he will save. 19#Heb 4.13. The works of all flesh are before him, and nothing can be hid from his eyes. 20He seeth from everlasting to everlasting; and there is nothing wonderful before him. 21A man need not to say, What is this? wherefore is that? for he hath made all things for their uses. 22His blessing covered the dry land as a river, and watered it as a flood. 23#Gen 19.24-26; Ps 107.33,34. As he hath turned the waters into saltness: so shall the heathen inherit his wrath. 24#Hos 14.9. As his ways are plain unto the holy; so are they stumbling-blocks unto the wicked. 25For the good are good things created from the beginning: so evil things for sinners. 26#Deut 32.13,14; Ecclus 29.21. The principal things for the whole use of man's life are water, fire, iron, and salt, flour of wheat, honey, milk, and the blood of the grape, and oil, and clothing. 27#Rom 8.28. All these things are for good to the godly: so to the sinners they are turned into evil. 28There be spirits that are created for vengeance, which in their fury lay on sore strokes; in the time of destruction they pour out their force, and appease the wrath of him that made them. 29#Exod 9.23; 10.15; 12.29. Fire, and hail, and famine, and death, all these were created for vengeance; 30#Deut 32.23,24; Wis 16.5. teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions, serpents, and the sword, punishing the wicked to destruction. 31They shall rejoice in his commandment, and they shall be ready upon earth, when need is; and when their time is come, they shall not transgress his word. 32Therefore from the beginning I was resolved, and thought upon these things, and have left them in writing. 33#Ecclus 39.16. All the works of the Lord are good: and he will give every needful thing in due season. 34So that a man cannot say, This is worse than that: for in time they shall all be well approved. 35#Ps 145.21. And therefore praise ye the Lord with the whole heart and mouth, and bless the name of the Lord.
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Ecclesiasticus 39: KJVAAE
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King James Version 1611, spelling, punctuation and text formatting modernized by ABS in 1962; typesetting © 2010 American Bible Society.