1He seeks out the wisdom of all the ancients,

and is concerned with prophecies;

2he preserves the sayings of the famous

and penetrates the subtleties of parables;

3he seeks out the hidden meanings of proverbs

and is at home with the obscurities of parables.

4He serves among the great

and appears before rulers;

he travels in foreign lands

and learns what is good and evil in the human lot.

5He sets his heart on rising early

to seek the Lord who made him,

and to petition the Most High;

he opens his mouth in prayer

and asks pardon for his sins.

6If the great Lord is willing,

he will be filled with the spirit of understanding;

he will pour forth words of wisdom of his own

and give thanks to the Lord in prayer.

7The Lord39.7 Gk He himself will direct his counsel and knowledge,

as he meditates on his mysteries.

8He will show the wisdom of what he has learned,

and will glory in the law of the Lord's covenant.

9Many will praise his understanding;

it will never be blotted out.

His memory will not disappear,

and his name will live through all generations.

10Nations will speak of his wisdom,

and the congregation will proclaim his praise.

11If he lives long, he will leave a name greater than a thousand,

and if he goes to rest, it is enough39.11 Cn: Meaning of Gk uncertain for him.

A Hymn of Praise to God

12I have more on my mind to express;

I am full like the full moon.

13Listen to me, my faithful children, and blossom

like a rose growing by a stream of water.

14Send out fragrance like incense,

and put forth blossoms like a lily.

Scatter the fragrance, and sing a hymn of praise;

bless the Lord for all his works.

15Ascribe majesty to his name

and give thanks to him with praise,

with songs on your lips, and with harps;

this is what you shall say in thanksgiving:

16‘All the works of the Lord are very good,

and whatever he commands will be done at the appointed time.

17No one can say, “What is this?” or “Why is that?”—

for at the appointed time all such questions will be answered.

At his word the waters stood in a heap,

and the reservoirs of water at the word of his mouth.

18When he commands, his every purpose is fulfilled,

and none can limit his saving power.

19The works of all are before him,

and nothing can be hidden from his eyes.

20From the beginning to the end of time he can see everything,

and nothing is too marvellous for him.

21No one can say, “What is this?” or “Why is that?”—

for everything has been created for its own purpose.

22‘His blessing covers the dry land like a river,

and drenches it like a flood.

23But his wrath drives out the nations,

as when he turned a watered land into salt.

24To the faithful his ways are straight,

but full of pitfalls for the wicked.

25From the beginning good things were created for the good,

but for sinners good things and bad.39.25 Heb Lat: Gk sinners bad things

26The basic necessities of human life

are water and fire and iron and salt

and wheat flour and milk and honey,

the blood of the grape and oil and clothing.

27All these are good for the godly,

but for sinners they turn into evils.

28‘There are winds created for vengeance,

and in their anger they can dislodge mountains;39.28 Heb Syr: Gk can scourge mightily

on the day of reckoning they will pour out their strength

and calm the anger of their Maker.

29Fire and hail and famine and pestilence,

all these have been created for vengeance;

30the fangs of wild animals and scorpions and vipers,

and the sword that punishes the ungodly with destruction.

31They take delight in doing his bidding,

always ready for his service on earth;

and when their time comes they never disobey his command.’

32So from the beginning I have been convinced of all this

and have thought it out and left it in writing:

33All the works of the Lord are good,

and he will supply every need in its time.

34No one can say, ‘This is not as good as that’,

for everything proves good in its appointed time.

35So now sing praise with all your heart and voice,

and bless the name of the Lord.