Sirach 6:18-37 Annotated

Key:
What we are told to do
What we are told not to do
What we are promised

¹⁸My child, from your earliest youth choose instruction, and till your hair is white you will keep finding wisdom.

¹⁹ Like ploughman and sower, cultivate herand wait for her fine harvest, for in tilling her you will toil a little while, but very soon you will beeating her crops.

²⁰ How very harsh she is to the undisciplined! The senseless does not stay with her for long:²¹ she will weigh as heavily on the senseless as a touchstone and such a person will lose no time in throwing her off;²² for Wisdom is true to her name, she is not accessible to many.

²³ Listen, my child, and take my advice, do not reject my counsel:²⁴put your feet into her fetters, and your neck into her collar;²⁵offer your shoulder to her burden, do not be impatient of her bonds;²⁶court her with all your soul, and with all your might keep in her ways;²⁷searchfor her, track her down: she will reveal herself; once you hold her, do not let her go.

²⁸ For in the end you will find rest in herand she will take the form of joyfor you:²⁹her fetters you will find a mighty defense, her collars, a precious necklace.

³⁰ Her yoke will bea golden ornament, and her bonds be purple ribbons;³¹you will wear her like a robe of honor, you will put her on like a crown of joy.

³² If you wish it, my child, you can be taught; apply yourself, and you will become intelligent.

³³ If you love listening, you will learn, if you pay attention, you will become wise.

³⁴ Attend the gathering of elders;if there is a wise man there, attach yourself to him.

³⁵ Listen willingly to any discourse coming from God, do not let wise proverbs escape you.

³⁶ If you see a man of understanding, visit him early, let your feet wear out his doorstep.

³⁷ Reflect on the injunctions of the Lord, busy yourself at all times with his commandments. He will strengthen your mind, and the wisdom you desire will be granted you.