Ben Sira 24:6-16

6 In the waves of the sea, in the whole earth, and in every people and nation I have gotten a possession.
7 Among all these I sought a resting place; I sought in whose territory I might lodge.
8 "Then the Creator of all things gave me a commandment, and the one who created me assigned a place for my tent. And he said, `Make your dwelling in Jacob, and in Israel receive your inheritance.'
9 From eternity, in the beginning, he created me, and for eternity I shall not cease to exist.
10 In the holy tabernacle I ministered before him, and so I was established in Zion.
11 In the beloved city likewise he gave me a resting place, and in Jerusalem was my dominion.
12 So I took root in an honored people, in the portion of the Lord, who is their inheritance.
13 "I grew tall like a cedar in Lebanon, and like a cypress on the heights of Hermon.
14 I grew tall like a palm tree in En-ge'di, and like rose plants in Jericho; like a beautiful olive tree in the field, and like a plane tree I grew tall.
15 Like cassia and camel's thorn I gave forth the aroma of spices, and like choice myrrh I spread a pleasant odor, like galbanum, onycha, and stacte, and like the fragrance of frankincense in the tabernacle.
16 Like a terebinth I spread out my branches, and my branches are glorious and graceful.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.