Haughty Men Will Not Behold Her

All flesh grows old, like a garment;the age-old law is: All must die.

As with the leaves that grow on a vigorous tree: one falls off and another sprouts-- So with the generations of flesh and blood: one dies and another is born.

All man's works will perish in decay, and his handiwork will follow after him.

Happy the man who meditates on wisdom, and reflects on knowledge;

Who ponders her ways in his heart, and understands her paths;

Who pursues her like a scout, and lies in wait at her entry way;

Who peeps through her windows, and listens at her doors;

Who encamps near her house, and fastens his tent pegs next to her walls;

Who pitches his tent beside her, and lives as her welcome neighbor;

Who builds his nest in her leafage, and lodges in her branches;

Who takes shelter with her from the heat, and dwells in her home.

He who fears the LORD will do this; he who is practiced in the law will come to wisdom.

Motherlike she will meet him, like a young bride she will embrace him,

Nourish him with the bread of understanding, and give him the water of learning to drink.

He will lean upon her and not fall, he will trust in her and not be put to shame.

She will exalt him above his fellows; in the assembly she will make him eloquent.

Joy and gladness he will find, an everlasting name inherit.

Worthless men will not attain to her, haughty men will not behold her.

Far from the impious is she, not to be spoken of by liars.

Unseemly is praise on a sinner's lips, for it is not accorded to him by God.

But praise is offered by the wise man's tongue; its rightful steward will proclaim it.

Sirach: 14:17-27, 15:1-10