Sirach 1

1 In the deceit of them that overreached him, she stood by him, and made him honourable. 2 She kept him safe from his enemies, and she defended him from seducers, and gave him a strong conflict, that he might overcome, and know that wisdom is mightier than all. 3 She forsook not the just when he was sold, but delivered him from sinners: she went down with him into the pit. 4 And in bands she left him not, till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: and shewed them to be liars that had accused him, and gave him everlasting glory. 5 She delivered the just people, and blameless seed, from the nations that oppressed them. 6 She entered into the soul of the servant of God and stood against dreadful kings in wonders and signs. 7 And she rendered to the just the wages of their labours, and conducted them in a wonderful way: and she was to them for a covert by day, and for the light of stars by night: 8 And she brought them through the Red Sea, and carried them over through a great water. 9 But their enemies she drowned in the sea, and from the depth of hell she brought them out. Therefore the just took the spoils of the wicked. 10 And they sung to thy holy name, O Lord, and they praised with one accord thy victorious hand. 11 For wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb, and made the tongues of infants eloquent. 13 She prospered their works in the hands of the holy prophet. 14 They went through wildernesses that were not inhabited, and in desert places they pitched their tents. 15 They stood against their enemies, and revenged themselves of their adversaries. 16 They were thirsty, and they called upon thee, and water was given them out of the high rock, and a refreshment of their thirst out of the hard stone. 17 For by what things their enemies were punished, when their drink failed them, while the children of Israel abounded therewith, and rejoiced: 18 By the same things they in their need were benefited. 19 For instead of a fountain of an ever running river, thou gavest human blood to the unjust. 20 And whilst they were diminished for a manifest reproof of their murdering the infants, thou gavest to thine abundant water unlooked for: 21 Shewing by the thirst that was then, how thou didst exalt thine, and didst kill their adversaries. 22 For when they were tried, and chastised with mercy, they knew how the wicked were judged with wrath, and tormented. 23 For thou didst admonish and try them as a father: but the others, as a severe king, thou didst examine and condemn. 24 For whether absent or present, they were tormented alike. 25 For a double affliction came upon them, and a groaning for the remembrance of things past. 26 For when they heard that by their punishments the others were benefited, they remembered the Lord, wondering at the end of what was come to pass. 27 For whom they scorned before, when he was thrown out at the time of his being wickedly exposed to perish, him they admired in the end, when they saw the event: their thirsting being unlike to that of the just. 28 But for the foolish devices of their iniquity, because some being deceived worshipped dumb serpents and worthless beasts, thou didst send upon them a multitude of dumb beasts for vengeance: 29 That they might know that by what things a man sinneth, by the same also he is tormented. 30 For thy almighty hand, which made the world of matter without form, was not unable to send upon them a multitude of bears, or fierce lions,