Wisdom of Ben Sirach

Among the books of the Old Testament in the Catholic version of the Bible, the Hebrew texts of seven of them no longer exist. These books and a few more came down from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew scripture. Scholars suspect that some of these 7 books were Greek to start with and not Greek translations of Hebrew texts. The book I am reading in these two days is Ben Sirach. According to its preface, this book was a Greek translation of a Hebrew text. We can only take its words.
The book began with an ode, singing praises to Wisdom (Sirach 1:1-8). Then it brings in the concept of the fear of the Lord (Sirach 1:9-30). Ben Sirach is not the only book to equate wisdom with the fear of the Lord. The books of Job, Psalm and Proverbs do likewise.
Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding (Job 28:28).
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it.
His praise endures for ever! (Psalm 111:10)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7).
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight (Proverbs 9:10).
The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor (Proverbs 15:33).
Ben Sirach does a more thorough treatment of the topic.
First of all, Ben Sirach tells us the benefits of the fear of the Lord.
The fear of the Lord is glory and exultation, and gladness and a crown of rejoicing.
The fear of the Lord delights the heart, and gives gladness and joy and long life.
With him who fears the Lord it will go well at the end; on the day of his death he will be blessed (Ben Sirach 1:9-11).
Modern men have difficulty appreciating fear. Fear is negative and unpleasant. However, fear preserves our life. Without fear, we will do a lot of harmful things to ourselves and others. Fear is a necessary evil. But Ben Sirach sees fear, especially the fear of the Lord, in a positive way. It is glory, gladness and joy because with the fear of the Lord, all will go well in the end.
Now, Ben Sirach turns his attention to the relation between the fear of the Lord and wisdom.
To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; she is created with the faithful in the womb.
She made among men an eternal foundation, and among their descendants she will be trusted (Sirach 1:12-13).
Sounds familiar. It echoes the basic tenet of all Israelite wisdom literature. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom because it is the trustworthy foundation of life.
To fear the Lord is wisdom's full measure; she satisfies men with her fruits (Sirach 1:14).
When you have wisdom and your wisdom comes to its fullness, you will fear the Lord because by then, you will be dumbfounded. You will find the Lord and His creation awesome. By then, you will be rewarded with the fruits of wisdom.
The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish
He saw her and apportioned her; he rained down knowledge and discerning comprehension, and he exalted the glory of those who held her fast. (Sirach 1:16-17).
When one fears the Lord, he will be given knowledge and discerning comprehension. With them, one attains glory (crown), peace, perfect health and a long life.
To fear the Lord is the root of wisdom, and her branches are long life (Sirach 1:18).
For Ben Sirach, the fear of the Lord is the beginning, the fullness, the root and the crown of wisdom. Once again, modern men should be forgiven for their ignoring the ways of God because they entertain the notion that there is "no need of the hypothesis of God". Without God, they have other objects to fear instead: fear of aging, of aliens, of darkness, of disapproval, of enclosed spaces, of failures and of successes, of insects, of unemployment and of death etc. To outsiders, these fears are irrational. But for these pitiful people involved, these fears are authentic. In the end, the fear of the Lord seems to be the best option.
Then, how do we proceed with this precious fear of the Lord? Ben Sirach continues to offer some advice.
A patient man will endure until the right moment, and then joy will burst forth for him.
He will hide his words until the right moment, and the lips of many will tell of his good sense (Sirach 1:23-24).
Obviously, a man of wisdom is able to master his tongue. He will speak at the right moment.
If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord will supply it for you (Sirach 1:26).
Therefore, the simplest and wisest way is to keep the commandments.
Be not a hypocrite in men's sight, and keep watch over your lips (Sirach 1:29).
True to yourself and keep watch over your lips. It is not easy. Who doesn't want to appear good? Who doesn't want to enlarge oneself? Good advice!
To conclude
Do not exalt yourself lest you fall, and thus bring dishonor upon yourself.
The Lord will reveal your secrets and cast you down in the midst of the congregation (Sirach 1:30).
Be humble and make this your true self.

Dear Lord, I am a man of simple mind. Cultivate in me a proper fear of You. Guard my tongue that I may speak edifying word to encourage others. Amen.