Ben Sira 24:12-22

12 I put down roots among an honored people whom the Lord had chosen as his own.
13 I grew tall, like the cedars in Lebanon, like the cypresses on Mount Hermon,
14 like the palm trees of Engedi, like the roses of Jericho, like beautiful olive trees in the fields, like plane trees growing by the water.
15 My breath was the spicy smell of cinnamon, of sweet perfume and finest myrrh, of stacte, onycha, and galbanum, the fragrant incense in the Sacred Tent.
16 Like an oak I spread out my branches, magnificent and graceful.
17 Like a grapevine I put out lovely shoots; my blossoms gave way to rich and glorious fruit.
19 Come to me, all you that want me, and eat your fill of my fruit.
20 You will remember me as sweeter than honey, better than honey from the comb.
21 Eat me, and you will hunger for more; drink me, and you will thirst for more.
22 Obey me, and you will never have cause for embarrassment; do as I say, and you will be safe from sin."

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. of Engedi; [some manuscripts have] on the seashore.
  • [b]. [Some manuscripts add verse 18:] I am the mother of beautiful love, of fear, knowledge, and holy hope. Since I am eternal, I am given to all my children, who are named by him.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.