Single lesson
Pursue wisdom and receive her nourishment
Sirach 14:20–15:10
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.
Before you teach
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.
Explain the central teaching of Pursue wisdom and receive her nourishment, using two details from the reading. This passage teaches that wisdom is to be sought closely and reverently, and that wisdom brings fitting nourishment, steadiness and praise.
Welcome: Pursue wisdom and receive her nourishment
5 minIntroduce “Pursue wisdom and receive her nourishment” and locate Sirach 14:20–15:10. This passage teaches that wisdom is to be sought closely and reverently, and that wisdom brings fitting nourishment, steadiness and praise. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Sirach 14:20, Sirach 15:2, Sirach 15:10
Read and explain the passage
12 minThe 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.
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.
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.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Pursue wisdom and receive her nourishment”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Sirach 14:20, Sirach 14:21, Sirach 14:22, Sirach 14:23, Sirach 15:1, Sirach 15:2, Sirach 15:3, Sirach 15:4, Sirach 15:5, Sirach 15:6, Sirach 15:7, Sirach 15:8, Sirach 15:9, Sirach 15:10
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “Which pictures show that seeking wisdom takes effort and closeness?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. This passage teaches that wisdom is to be sought closely and reverently, and that wisdom brings fitting nourishment, steadiness and praise. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Sirach 14:22, Sirach 14:23, Sirach 14:24, Sirach 14:25, Sirach 14:26, Sirach 14:27, Sirach 15:3, Sirach 15:4, Sirach 15:1, Sirach 15:7, Sirach 15:8, Sirach 15:9
Make and respond: Wisdom comparison cards
12 minWork on “Pursue wisdom and receive her nourishment: Wisdom comparison cards”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Pursue wisdom and receive her nourishment” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Sirach 14:20, Sirach 15:2, Sirach 15:10
Closing: return to Pursue wisdom and receive her nourishment
3 minRevisit Sirach 14:20–15:10. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Pursue wisdom and receive her nourishment and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Sirach 14:20, Sirach 15:2, Sirach 15:10
Questions to explore
Which pictures show that seeking wisdom takes effort and closeness?
Notice the actions of hunting, watching, listening, lodging and pitching a tent near wisdom.
Sirach 14:22, Sirach 14:23, Sirach 14:24, Sirach 14:25
How does the passage describe what wisdom gives to those who stay near her?
Look for the images of shelter, bread, water and steadiness.
Sirach 14:26, Sirach 14:27, Sirach 15:3, Sirach 15:4
Who 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.
Sirach 15:1, Sirach 15:7, Sirach 15:8, Sirach 15:9
Make, think or respond
Pursue wisdom and receive her nourishment: Wisdom comparison cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage commends”, “What it warns against”, “The reason or outcome stated”.
- Read Sirach 14:20–15:10. Use “Pursue wisdom and receive her nourishment” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Write a proposed everyday example beside one teaching. Label it as your example and explain which words in the text guided it.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Pursue wisdom and receive her nourishment connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Pursue wisdom and receive her nourishment” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Sirach 14:20–15:10. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Sirach 14:20–15:10. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Sirach 14
20 Blessed is the man who meditates on wisdom, and who reasons by his understanding.
21 He who considers her ways in his heart will also have knowledge of her secrets.
22 Go after her like a hunter, and lie in wait in her paths.
23 He who peers in at her windows will also listen at her doors.
24 He who lodges close to her house will also fasten a nail in her walls.
25 He will pitch his tent near at hand to her, and will lodge in a lodging where good things are.
26 He will set his children under her shelter, and will rest under her branches.
27 By her he will be covered from heat, and will lodge in her glory.
Sirach 15
1 He who fears the Lord will do this. He who has possession of the law will obtain her.
2 She will meet him like a mother, and receive him like a wife married in her virginity.
3 She will feed him with bread of understanding and give him water of wisdom to drink.
4 He will be stayed upon her, and will not be moved. He will rely upon her, and will not be confounded.
5 She will exalt him above his neighbors. She will open his mouth in the midst of the congregation.
6 He will inherit joy, a crown of gladness, and an everlasting name.
7 Foolish men will not obtain her. Sinners will not see her.
8 She is far from pride. Liars will not remember her.
9 Praise is not attractive in the mouth of a sinner; for it was not sent to him from the Lord.
10 For praise will be spoken in wisdom; The Lord will prosper it.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.