Ben Sira 14:17-27

17 All living beings become old like a garment, for the decree from of old is, "You must die!"
18 Like abundant leaves on a spreading tree that sheds some and puts forth others, so are the generations of flesh and blood: one dies and another is born.
19 Every work decays and ceases to exist, and the one who made it will pass away with it.
20 Happy is the person who meditates on wisdom and reasons intelligently,
21 who reflects in his heart on her ways and ponders her secrets,
22 pursuing her like a hunter, and lying in wait on her paths;
23 who peers through her windows and listens at her doors;
24 who camps near her house and fastens his tent peg to her walls;
25 who pitches his tent near her, and so occupies an excellent lodging place;
26 who places his children under her shelter, and lodges under her boughs;
27 who is sheltered by her from the heat, and dwells in the midst of her glory.

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Heb: Gk [covenant]
  • [b]. Other ancient authorities read [dies in]
  • [c]. The structure adopted in verses 21-27 follows the Heb
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, 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.