The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Ecclesiaticus 39
1 Not so he who has applied his soul
and meditates in the law of the Most
High. He will seek out the wisdom of all the
ancients nd will be occupied with prophecies.
2 He will keep the sayings of the men of
renown and will enter in amidst the subtleties
of parables.
3 He will seek out the hidden meaning of
proverbs and be conversant in the dark sayings
of parables.
4 He will serve among great men
and appear before him who rules.
He will travel through the land of foreign
nations, for he has learned what is good and
evil among men.
5 He will apply his heart to return early to
the Lord who made him, and will make supplication
before the Most High, and will open his mouth in prayer,
and will ask for pardon for his sins.
6 If the great Lord wills, he will be filled
with the spirit of understanding;
he will pour forth the words of his
wisdom and in prayer give thanks to the Lord.
7 He will direct his counsel and knowledge,
and he will meditate in his secrets.
8 He will show the instruction which he has
been taught and will glory in the law of the
covenant of the Lord.
9 Many will commend his understanding.
So long as the world endures, it won’t
be blotted out. His memory won’t depart.
His name will live from generation to
generation.
10 Nations will declare his wisdom.
The congregation will proclaim his
praise.
11 If he continues, he will leave a greater
name than a thousand. If he finally rests,
it is enough for him.
12 Yet more I will utter, which I have
thought about. I am filled like the full moon.
13 Listen to me, you holy children,
and bud forth like a rose growing by a
brook of water.
14 Give a sweet fragrance like frankincense.
Put forth flowers like a lily.
Scatter a sweet smell and sing a song
of praise. Bless the Lord for all his works!
15 Magnify his name and give utterance to his praise
with the songs on your lips and with harps!
Say this when you utter his praise:
16 Allthe works ofthe Lord are exceedingly
good, and every command will be done in its
time.
17 No one can say, “What is this?” “Why is
that?” for at the proper time they will all be
sought out. At his word, the waters stood as a heap,
as did the reservoirs of water at the
word of his mouth.
18 At his command all his good pleasure is
fulfilled. There is no one who can hinder his
salvation.
19 The works of all flesh are before him.
It’s impossible to be hidden from his
eyes.
20 He sees from everlasting to everlasting.
There is nothing too wonderful for him.
21 No one can say, “What is this?” “Why is
that?” for all things are created for their own
uses.
22 His blessing covered the dry land as a
river and saturated it as a flood.
23 As he has made the waters salty,
so the heathen will inherit his wrath.
24 His ways are plain to the holy.
They are stumbling blocks to the wicked.
25 Good things are created from the beginning
for the good. So are evil things for sinners.
26 The main things necessary for the life of
man are water, fire, iron, salt,
wheat flour, and honey, milk,
the blood of the grape, oil, and clothing.
27 All these things are for good to the godly,
but for sinners, they will be turned
into evils.
28 There are winds that are created for
vengeance, and in their fury they lay on their
scourges heavily. In the time of reckoning, they pour out
their strength, and will appease the wrath of him who made them.
29 Fire, hail, famine, and death
all these are created for vengeance
30 wild beasts’ teeth, scorpions,
adders, and a sword punishing the ungodly to
destruction.
31 They will rejoice in his commandment,
and will be made ready upon earth
when needed. In their seasons, they won’t disobey
his command.
32 Therefore from the beginning I was convinced,
and I thought it through and left it in
writing:
33 All the works of the Lord are good.
He will supply every need in its time.
34 No one can say, “This is worse than that,”
for they will all be well approved in
their time.
35 Now withall yourhearts and voices, sing
praises and bless the Lord’s name!