Nathan and David
Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 1. Then after this Nathan rose up To prophesy in the days of David. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 2. As the fat was divided from the peace offering, So David was separated from the sons of Israel. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 3. He played with lions as with young goats, And with bears as with lambs of sheep. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 4. Did he not slay a giant in his youth, And remove the disgrace from the people When he took in his hand a stone for a sling And struck down the arrogance of Goliath? Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 5. For he called upon the Lord Most High, And strength was given to his right hand To defeat the mighty man in battle, To exalt the power of his people. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 6. So for his tens of thousands they glorified him And praised him for the blessings of the Lord when they brought him a diadem of glory. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 7. For he destroyed his enemies all around, Reduced to nothing his enemies the Philistines, And crushed their power to this very day. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 8. In his every work, he gave thanks with a word of praise To the Holy One, the Most High; And he sang a hymn with all his heart And loved his Maker. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 9. He placed psalm-singers before the altar To make sweet melody with their voices. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 10. He gave dignity to the feasts And set in order the appointed times throughout the year For them to praise His holy name, And for the sanctuary to resound from early morning. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 11. The Lord took away his sins, Exalted his power forever, And gave him a covenant of kings And a throne of glory in Israel.
Solomon and His Successors
Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 12. After him there arose his wise son, Who lodged in a broad space because of him. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 13. For Solomon reigned in days of peace, To whom God gave rest on every side That he might establish a house for His name And prepare a sanctuary to last forever. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 14. How wise you were in your youth, And filled with understanding like a river. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 15. Your soul covered the earth, And you were filled with the parables of riddles. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 16. Your name was known to islands far away, And you were loved for your peace Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 17. And for your songs, proverbs, and parables; Nations marveled at you because of your interpretations. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 18. In the name of the Lord God, Who is called the God of Israel, You collected gold like tin And multiplied silver like lead. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 19. But you lay down beside women And were enslaved by your body. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 20. You brought disgrace on your honor And defiled your seed So as to bring wrath upon your children; And they were pierced by your lack of good sense. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 21. Thus one kingdom became two, For out of Ephraim there began a disobedient kingdom. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 22. But the Lord did not abandon His mercy Nor corrupt any of His words. Neither did He wipe away the descendants of His chosen one, Nor did He remove the seed of the one who loved Him. He gave a remnant to Jacob, And to David a root from his stock. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 23. When Solomon rested with his fathers, He left behind him one of his sons, Lacking in good sense and understanding, Rehoboam, who turned away the people by his counsel. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 24. There was also Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, Who caused Israel to sin And led Ephraim on the road to sin. Then their sins were multiplied exceedingly So as to remove them from their land. Wisdom of Sirach 47, verse 25. They sought every wickedness Until punishment came upon them.