Ben Sira 4:11-14
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
The Rewards of Wisdom[a]
11 Wisdom teaches her children
and admonishes all who can understand her.
12 Those who love her love life;
those who seek her out win the Lord’s favor.
13 Those who hold her fast will attain glory,
and they shall abide in the blessing of the Lord.
14 Those who serve her serve the Holy One;
those who love her the Lord loves.(A)
Footnotes
- 4:11–19 The Hebrew text in vv. 15–19 presents wisdom speaking in the first person, as in chap. 24. The precious fruits of wisdom—life, favor, glory, blessings, God’s love—arouse desire for her (vv. 11–14). Her disciples are like ministers (v. 14) and judges (v. 15), whose descendants have her for their heritage (v. 16). They enjoy happiness and learn her secrets after surviving her tests (vv. 17–18). Those who fail her are abandoned to destruction (v. 19).
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