Sirach – Chapter 1

Old Testament40 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 1 of Sirach begins: "All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him, and is before all time." Across its 40 verses, two threads run through the text: wisdom for daily living and faith and trust in God. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him, and is before all time.

2Who hath numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of the world? Who hath measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss?

3Who hath searched out the wisdom of God that goeth before all things?

4Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.

5The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdom, and her ways are everlasting commandments.

6To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed, and who hath known her wise counsels?

7To whom hath the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made manifest? and who hath understood the multiplicity of her steps?

8There is one most high Creator Almighty, and a powerful king, and greatly to be feared, who sitteth upon his throne, and is the God of dominion.

9He created her in the Holy Ghost, and saw her, and numbered her, and measured her.

10And he poured her out upon all his works, and upon all flesh according to his gift, and hath given her to them that love him.

11The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of joy.

12The fear of the Lord shall delight the heart, and shall give joy, and gladness, and length of days.

13With him that feareth the Lord, it shall go well in the latter end, and in the day of his death he shall be blessed.

14The love of God is honourable wisdom.

15And they to whom she shall shew herself love her by the sight, and by the knowledge of her great works.

16The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and was created with the faithful in the womb, it walketh with chosen women, and is known with the just and faithful.

17The fear of the Lord is the religiousness of knowledge.

18Religiousness shall keep and justify the heart, it shall give joy and gladness.

19It shall go well with him that feareth the Lord, and in the days of his end he shall be blessed.

20To fear God is the fulness of wisdom, and fulness is from the fruits thereof.

21She shall fill all her house with her increase, and the storehouses with her treasures.

22The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, filling up peace and the fruit of salvation:

23And it hath seen, and numbered her: but both are the gifts of God.

24Wisdom shall distribute knowledge, and understanding of prudence: and exalteth the glory of them that hold her.

25The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord: and the branches thereof are long-lived.

26In the treasures of wisdom is understanding, and religiousness of knowledge: but to sinners wisdom is an abomination.

27The fear of the Lord driveth out sin:

28For he that is without fear, cannot be justified: for the wrath of his high spirits is his ruin.

29A patient man shall bear for a time, and afterwards joy shall be restored to him.

30A good understanding will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.

31In the treasures of wisdom is the signification of discipline:

32But the worship of God is an abomination to a sinner.

33Son, if thou desire wisdom, keep justice, and God will give her to thee.

34For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline: and that which is agreeable to him,

35Is faith, and meekness: and he will fill up his treasures.

36Be not incredulous to the fear of the Lord: and come not to him with a double heart.

37Be not a hypocrite in the sight of men, and let not thy lips be a stumblingblock to thee.

38Watch over them, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul,

39And God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation.

40Because thou camest to the Lord wickedly, and thy heart is full of guile and deceit.

Important Verses in Sirach 1

All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him, and is before all time.

Sirach 1:1

The fear of the Lord shall delight the heart, and shall give joy, and gladness, and length of days.

Sirach 1:12

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and was created with the faithful in the womb, it walketh with chosen women, and is known with the just and faithful.

Sirach 1:16

The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, filling up peace and the fruit of salvation:

Sirach 1:22

Historical Context

Sirach addresses students of wisdom seeking to live the Law with practical prudence within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 1 of 51 opens the book and sets the stage for everything that follows. It is a wisdom instruction on how to live before God in ordinary circumstances with 40 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him, and is before all time." The chapter ends with: "Because thou camest to the Lord wickedly, and thy heart is full of guile and deceit. " Read against its original backdrop, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) is the longest wisdom book of the Bible, written by a Jerusalem sage who ran a school for young men. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: About 180 BC in Hebrew; Greek translation about 132 BC.

Who Wrote It

Jesus ben Sira of Jerusalem; translated into Greek by his grandson

When It Was Written

About 180 BC in Hebrew; Greek translation about 132 BC

Catholic Commentary

The sage addresses concrete situations—speech, work, relationships, and fear of the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 1: "All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him, and is before all time." The passage repeatedly touches on wisdom for daily living.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of practical wisdom and fear of the Lord. this deuterocanonical book provides guidance for daily life (CIC 1806). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 854).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.
  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Sirach Chapter 1 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Sirach Chapter 1. At the moral level, stewardship of creation challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 1431).

As you continue through Sirach, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sirach Chapter 1 about?

Sirach 1 contains 40 verses. It opens with "All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him, and is before all time." and closes with "Because thou camest to the Lord wickedly, and thy heart is full of guile and deceit. ". The book as a whole is wisdom instruction (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Sirach 1?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him, and is before all time." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Sirach and when?

Jesus ben Sira of Jerusalem; translated into Greek by his grandson. About 180 BC in Hebrew; Greek translation about 132 BC.

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