Wisdom of Ben Sira 40:18-26
New Catholic Bible
Better Still Is the Fear of God[a]
18 Wealth and wages make life sweet,
but better than either is finding a treasure.
19 Children and the founding of a city will preserve one’s name,
but better than either is finding wisdom.
Cattle and orchards make a man well known,[b]
but better than either is a perfect wife.
20 Wine and music gladden the heart,
but better than either is the love of wisdom.
21 The flute and the harp make sweet melody,
but better than either is a pleasant voice.
22 The eye delights to gaze upon grace and beauty,
but better than either are the green shoots in a cornfield.
23 A friend and a companion are encountered in good time,
but better than either is a sensible wife.[c]
24 A brother and a helper are cherished in times of stress,
but better than either is the aid provided by almsgiving.
25 Gold and silver make one’s way secure,
but better than either is sound advice.
26 Riches and vigor build up self-confidence,
but better than either is fear of God.
With the fear of the Lord, nothing is lacking;
whoever has it does not need to seek any further help.
Footnotes
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 40:18 In diverse ways, freedom, progeny, wisdom, love, music, fortune, beauty, and other advantages endow existence with a certain charm. Ultimately, only filial respect toward God can fulfill the aspirations of human beings.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 40:19 But better than either is finding wisdom . . . make a man well known: lacking in Greek.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 40:23 A sensible wife: Greek reads: “a wife with her husband.”
