Chapter 24 _{9 He created me from the beginning before the world, and I shall never fail.10 In the holy tabernacle I served before him; and so was I established in Sion.11 Likewise in the beloved city he gave me rest, and in Jerusalem was my power.12 And I took root in an honourable people, even in the portion of the Lord's inheritance.13 I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, and as a cypress tree upon the mountains of Hermon.14 I was exalted like a palm tree in En-gaddi, and as a rose plant in Jericho, as a fair olive tree in a pleasant field, and grew up as a plane tree by the water.15 I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon and aspalathus, and I yielded a pleasant odour like the best myrrh, as galbanum, and onyx, and sweet storax, and as the fume of frankincense in the tabernacle.16 As the turpentine tree I stretched out my branches, and my branches are the branches of honour and grace.17 As the vine brought I forth pleasant savour, and my flowers are the fruit of honour and riches.18 I am the mother of fair love, and fear, and knowledge, and holy hope: I therefore, being eternal, am given to all my children which are named of him.19 Come unto me, all ye that be desirous of me, and fill yourselves with my fruits.20 For my memorial is sweeter than honey, and mine inheritance than the honeycomb.21 They that eat me shall yet be hungry, and they that drink me shall yet be thirsty.22 He that obeyeth me shall never be confounded, and they that work by me shall not do amiss.23 All these things are the book of the covenant of the most high God, even the law which Moses commanded for an heritage unto the congregations of Jacob.24 Faint not to be strong in the Lord; that he may confirm you, cleave unto him: for the Lord Almighty is God alone, and beside him there is no other Saviour.25 He filleth all things with his wisdom, as Phison and as Tigris in the time of the new fruits.26 He maketh the understanding to abound like Euphrates, and as Jordan in the time of the harvest.27 He maketh the doctrine of knowledge appear as the light, and as Geon in the time of vintage.28 The first man knew her not perfectly: no more shall the last find her out.29 For her thoughts are more than the sea, and her counsels profounder than the great deep.30 I also came out as a brook from a river, and as a conduit into a garden.31 I said, I will water my best garden, and will water abundantly my garden bed: and, lo, my brook became a river, and my river became a sea.32 I will yet make doctrine to shine as the morning, and will send forth her light afar off.33 I will yet pour out doctrine as prophecy, and leave it to all ages for ever.34 Behold that I have not laboured for myself only, but for all them that seek wisdom.}

Chapter 25 _{1 In three things I was beautified, and stood up beautiful both before God and men: the unity of brethren, the love of neighbours, a man and a wife that agree together.2 Three sorts of men my soul hateth, and I am greatly offended at their life: a poor man that is proud, a rich man that is a liar, and an old adulterer that doateth.3 If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how canst thou find any thing in thine age?4 O how comely a thing is judgment for gray hairs, and for ancient men to know counsel!5 O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men of honour.6 Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their glory.7 There be nine things which I have judged in mine heart to be happy, and the tenth I will utter with my tongue: A man that hath joy of his children; and he that liveth to see the fall of his enemy:8 Well is him that dwelleth with a wife of understanding, and that hath not slipped with his tongue, and that hath not served a man more unworthy than himself:9 Well is him that hath found prudence, and he that speaketh in the ears of them that will hear:}