Ben Sira 24:7-17

7 Among all these I sought a resting place; in whose territory should I abide?
8 "Then the Creator of all things gave me a command, and my Creator chose the place for my tent. He said, "Make your dwelling in Jacob, and in Israel receive your inheritance.'
9 Before the ages, in the beginning, he created me, and for all the ages I shall not cease to be.
10 In the holy tent I ministered before him, and so I was established in Zion.
11 Thus in the beloved city he gave me a resting place, and in Jerusalem was my domain.
12 I took root in an honored people, in the portion of the Lord, his heritage.
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-gedi, and like rosebushes in Jericho; like a fair olive tree in the field, and like a plane tree beside water I grew tall.
15 Like cassia and camel's thorn I gave forth perfume, and like choice myrrh I spread my fragrance, like galbanum, onycha, and stacte, and like the odor of incense in the tent.
16 Like a terebinth I spread out my branches, and my branches are glorious and graceful.
17 Like the vine I bud forth delights, and my blossoms become glorious and abundant fruit.

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Other ancient authorities read [on the beaches]
  • [b]. Other ancient authorities omit [beside water]
  • [c]. Other ancient authorities add as verse 18, [I am the mother of beautiful love, of fear, of knowledge, and of holy hope; being eternal, I am given to all my children, to those who are named by him.]
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.