Read & explore together
Wisdom belongs to God and is shared with creation
This passage begins by placing wisdom with the Lord. Through searching questions and vivid comparisons, it shows that wisdom is beyond human control and is given by God to creation as his gift.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
Sirach is part of the Catholic additional books. These verses are wisdom teaching, not a story. The passage starts by naming the Lord as wisdom’s source, then asks who can measure vast things or search out wisdom, and finally says the Lord created wisdom and poured her out upon his works.
Sirach 1:1–10Main takeaway
According to this passage, wisdom belongs to the Lord, is beyond human measuring, and is shared by his gift.
Look closely at the words
01Wisdom is with the LordThe first verse states the main claim plainly: all wisdom comes from the Lord and is with him forever.
Explanation
The first verse states the main claim plainly: all wisdom comes from the Lord and is with him forever. Wisdom is not introduced here as a human achievement. Before the passage speaks about people, creation, or understanding, it places wisdom with the Lord as her lasting source.
02Questions that show human limitsThe next lines ask who can count the sand of the seas, the drops of rain, and the days of eternity.
Explanation
The next lines ask who can count the sand of the seas, the drops of rain, and the days of eternity. Then they ask who will search out the height of the sky, the breadth of the earth, the deep, and wisdom. These questions underline the vastness of both creation and wisdom.
03Wisdom before all thingsThe passage says wisdom has been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.
Explanation
The passage says wisdom has been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting. It then asks, “To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed?” and “Who has known her shrewd counsels?” The wording keeps the focus on revelation and knowledge, not human discovery by our own power.
04The Lord creates and gives wisdomThe final verses return to the Lord directly. He is called the one wise, sitting upon his throne.
Explanation
The final verses return to the Lord directly. He is called the one wise, sitting upon his throne. The Lord created wisdom, saw and measured her, and poured her out upon all his works. Wisdom is with all flesh according to his gift, and he gave her freely to those who love him.
Questions to explore
01What does the passage say first about where wisdom comes from and where she remains?
Start with the opening statement and notice both the source of wisdom and the words about her enduring place.
02How do the questions about sand, rain, the sky, the earth, and the deep help describe wisdom?
Compare the uncountable and unsearchable things in these verses with the final word of Sirach 1:3.
03What does Sirach 1:6 ask about the root of wisdom and her shrewd counsels?
Use the verse’s own wording and notice that it asks about wisdom being revealed and known.
Read the Bible passages
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 1:1–4
1All wisdom comes from the Lord, and is with him forever.
2Who can count the sand of the seas, the drops of rain, and the days of eternity?
3Who will search out the height of the sky, the breadth of the earth, the deep, and wisdom?
4Wisdom has been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.
Sirach 1:6
6To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed? Who has known her shrewd counsels?
Sirach 1:8–10
8There is one wise, greatly to be feared, sitting upon his throne: the Lord.
9He created her. He saw and measured her. He poured her out upon all his works.
10She is with all flesh according to his gift. He gave her freely to those who love him.
Source passages
Source: Sirach 1 ↗Translation and source notes
Some verse numbers are represented by textual notes in World English Bible Classic. The reading below follows the text printed in the main passage.