Wisdom
Sirach 24:1-7, 10-14Wisdom praises herself, and tells of her glory in the midst of her people.
In the assembly of the Most High she opens her mouth, and in the presence of his hosts she tells of her glory:
“I came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and covered the earth like a mist.
I dwelt in the highest heavens,and my throne was in a pillar of cloud.
Alone I compassed the vault of heaven and traversed the depths of the abyss.
Over waves of the sea, over all the earth, and over every people and nation I have held sway.
Among all these I sought a resting place; in whose territory should I abide?
In the holy tent I ministered before him, and so I was established in Zion.
Thus in the beloved city he gave me a resting place, and in Jerusalem was my domain.
I took root in an honored people, in the portion of the Lord, his heritage.
“I grew tall like a cedar in Lebanon, and like a cypress on the heights of Hermon.
I grew tall like a palm tree in En-gedi, and like rosebushes in Jericho; like a fair olive tree in the field, and like a plane tree beside water I grew tall.