Read & explore together
Pursue wisdom and receive her nourishment
Sirach describes wisdom with pictures of searching, staying near, shelter and food. The passage teaches that wisdom is worth pursuing carefully, and it links that pursuit with fearing the Lord and possessing the law.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
In Sirach 14:20–15:10, wisdom is described in poetic, personal images. The writer moves from meditation, reasoning and careful pursuit to staying near wisdom’s house, resting under her shelter, and receiving bread and water from her. The passage also contrasts those who obtain wisdom with foolishness, sin, pride, lying and unfitting praise.
Sirach 14:20–15:10Main takeaway
This passage teaches that wisdom is to be sought closely and reverently, and that wisdom brings fitting nourishment, steadiness and praise.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Blessed thought and determined pursuitThe passage begins by calling a person blessed who meditates on wisdom and reasons with understanding.
Explanation
The passage begins by calling a person blessed who meditates on wisdom and reasons with understanding. He considers her ways in his heart. Then Sirach piles up images of effort: going after her, watching her paths, peering at her windows and listening at her doors.
02Staying near wisdom’s houseThe seeker does not only look from far away. He lodges near wisdom’s house, fastens a nail in her walls and pitches his tent close by.
Explanation
The seeker does not only look from far away. He lodges near wisdom’s house, fastens a nail in her walls and pitches his tent close by. These are poetic pictures of nearness, showing wisdom as a place of good things, shelter and lasting rest.
03Fear of the Lord and wisdom’s foodSirach says the one who fears the Lord will do this, and the one who possesses the law will obtain wisdom.
Explanation
Sirach says the one who fears the Lord will do this, and the one who possesses the law will obtain wisdom. Wisdom is then pictured as welcoming and feeding him. She gives bread of understanding and water of wisdom, and he is supported so that he is not moved or confounded.
04Wisdom, honour and fitting praiseWisdom brings honour, joy and an enduring name. Yet Sirach also draws boundaries. Foolish men will not obtain her, sinners will not see her, and she is far from pride.
Explanation
Wisdom brings honour, joy and an enduring name. Yet Sirach also draws boundaries. Foolish men will not obtain her, sinners will not see her, and she is far from pride. The passage ends by saying praise belongs with wisdom, and the Lord will prosper it.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which pictures show that seeking wisdom takes effort and closeness?
Notice the actions of hunting, watching, listening, lodging and pitching a tent near wisdom.
02How does the passage describe what wisdom gives to those who stay near her?
Look for the images of shelter, bread, water and steadiness.
03Who obtains wisdom, and who is contrasted with her?
Compare the one who fears the Lord and possesses the law with foolish men, sinners, pride and liars.
Read the Bible passages
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 14:20–27
20Blessed is the man who meditates on wisdom, and who reasons by his understanding.
21He who considers her ways in his heart will also have knowledge of her secrets.
22Go after her like a hunter, and lie in wait in her paths.
23He who peers in at her windows will also listen at her doors.
24He who lodges close to her house will also fasten a nail in her walls.
25He will pitch his tent near at hand to her, and will lodge in a lodging where good things are.
26He will set his children under her shelter, and will rest under her branches.
27By her he will be covered from heat, and will lodge in her glory.
Sirach 15:1–10
1He who fears the Lord will do this. He who has possession of the law will obtain her.
2She will meet him like a mother, and receive him like a wife married in her virginity.
3She will feed him with bread of understanding and give him water of wisdom to drink.
4He will be stayed upon her, and will not be moved. He will rely upon her, and will not be confounded.
5She will exalt him above his neighbors. She will open his mouth in the midst of the congregation.
6He will inherit joy, a crown of gladness, and an everlasting name.
7Foolish men will not obtain her. Sinners will not see her.
8She is far from pride. Liars will not remember her.
9Praise is not attractive in the mouth of a sinner; for it was not sent to him from the Lord.
10For praise will be spoken in wisdom; The Lord will prosper it.