Read & explore together
A lifelong search for wisdom becomes praise
This passage speaks in a personal voice about seeking wisdom while young and continuing that search faithfully. It begins with prayer and effort, then ends in praise to the Lord, showing wisdom as something pursued carefully and gratefully received.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
Sirach 51:13–22 is part of the Catholic additional books and is written as wisdom and dialogue rather than a story event. In these verses, the speaker describes seeking wisdom in prayer, following her way, struggling to learn, and then praising the Lord for giving wisdom and a tongue to praise him.
Sirach 51:13–22Main takeaway
This passage teaches that seeking wisdom involves prayer, steady practice, humility about ignorance, and thankful praise to the Lord who gives wisdom.
Look closely at the words
01Seeking wisdom from youthThe speaker says that while still young, he sought wisdom openly in prayer and asked for her before the temple.
Explanation
The speaker says that while still young, he sought wisdom openly in prayer and asked for her before the temple. Wisdom is spoken of as something to seek faithfully, not casually. The commitment is long-term, because he says he will seek her out even to the end.
02Walking in wisdom’s pathWisdom brings delight, pictured from first flower to ripe grape. The speaker says his foot walked in uprightness and that from youth he followed wisdom’s steps.
Explanation
Wisdom brings delight, pictured from first flower to ripe grape. The speaker says his foot walked in uprightness and that from youth he followed wisdom’s steps. He also listened, received wisdom, and found much instruction. This shows wisdom is connected with both joy and teachable listening.
03Practice, struggle, and purityThe speaker does not only admire wisdom. He determines to practise her and is zealous for what is good.
Explanation
The speaker does not only admire wisdom. He determines to practise her and is zealous for what is good. Yet the search is not effortless. His soul wrestles, he bewails his ignorance, and he directs his soul toward wisdom. In purity he finds her and is not forsaken.
04Wisdom received becomes praiseThe search for wisdom leads to gain, described as a good possession. But the final focus is not self-congratulation.
Explanation
The search for wisdom leads to gain, described as a good possession. But the final focus is not self-congratulation. The speaker gives glory to the one who gives wisdom, and says the Lord gave him a tongue for his reward. Therefore, he will use that tongue to praise the Lord.
Questions to explore
01What actions show that the speaker actively sought wisdom rather than waiting passively?
Look for verbs such as sought, asked, followed, inclined, practised, wrestled, and directed, which show prayer, listening, effort, and obedience.
02How does the passage connect wisdom with both joy and difficulty?
Notice that wisdom delights the heart, yet the speaker also says his soul wrestled and that he bewailed his ignorance.
03Who receives the final praise in this passage, and why?
The speaker says he will give glory to the one who gives wisdom and that the Lord gave him a tongue for his reward.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 51:13–22
13When I was yet young, before I went abroad, I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
14Before the temple I asked for her. I will seek her out even to the end.
15From the first flower to the ripening grape my heart delighted in her. My foot walked in uprightness. From my youth I followed her steps.
16I inclined my ear a little, and received her, and found for myself much instruction.
17I profited in her. I will give glory to him who gives me wisdom.
18For I determined to practice her. I was zealous for that which is good. I will never be put to shame.
19My soul has wrestled with her. In my conduct I was exact. I spread out my hands to the sky above, and bewailed my ignorances of her.
20I directed my soul to her. In purity I found her. I got myself a heart joined with her from the beginning. Therefore I won’t be forsaken.
21My belly also was troubled to seek her. Therefore I have gained a good possession.
22The Lord gave me a tongue for my reward. I will praise him with it.