“Whoever is wise
Is cautious in everything.
When sin is all around,
One guards against wrongdoing.
Every intelligent person
Knows wisdom.
He praises
Whoever finds her.
Whoever is skilled in words
Becomes wise themselves.
They pour forth apt proverbs.”
If you are wise, you are cautious in everything. When sin is all around, you are more on guard against it. The intelligent people know about wisdom. They praise anyone who has found wisdom. If you are skilled in words, you will be wise. Then the wise ones will pour out proverbs, as our wise friend Sirach has done here.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 