“The whole of wisdom
Is fear of the Lord.
In all wisdom,
There is the fulfillment
Of the law.
There is knowledge
Of his omnipresence.
When a slave cries
To his master.
‘I will not act
As you wish’
Even if later he does it,
He angers the one
Who supports him.
The knowledge of wickedness
Is not wisdom.
There is not prudence
In the counsel of sinners.”
Sirach reminds us of the difference between true and false wisdom. True and all wisdom starts with the fear of the Lord. True wisdom follows the law, knowing that God is everywhere. Sirach uses a comparison between a slave and us. We should never say to the Lord that we are not going to do something, even if we do it later. We will anger God, the one who supports us. On the other hand, the knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom. There is no prudence among the counsel of sinners.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 