Sirach

¹After him, Nathan rose up to prophesy in the days of David.

²As is the fat when it is separated from the peace offering, so was David separated from the children of Israel. ³He played with lions as with kids, and with bears as with lambs of the flock. ⁴In his youth didn’t he kill a giant, and take away reproach from the people when he lifted up his hand with a sling stone, and beat down the boasting Goliath? ⁵For he called upon the Most High Lord, and he gave him strength in his right hand to kill a man mighty in war, to exalt the horn of his people. ⁶So they glorified him for his tens of thousands, and praised him for the blessings of the Lord, in that a glorious diadem was given to him. ⁷For he destroyed the enemies on every side, and defeated the Philistines his adversaries. He broke their horn in pieces to this day. ⁸In every work of his he gave thanks to the Holy One Most High with words of glory. He sang praise with his whole heart, and loved him who made him. ⁹He set singers before the altar, to make sweet melody by their music. ¹⁰He gave beauty to the feasts, and set in order the seasons to completion while they praised his holy name, and the sanctuary resounded from early morning. ¹¹The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn forever. He gave him a covenant of kings, and a glorious throne in Israel.

¹²After him a wise son rose up, who because of him lived in security. ¹³Solomon reigned in days of peace. God gave him rest all around, that he might set up a house for his name, and prepare a sanctuary forever. ¹⁴How wise you were made in your youth, and filled as a river with understanding! ¹⁵Your influence covered the earth, and you filled it with parables and riddles. ¹⁶Your name reached to the far away islands, and you were loved for your peace. ¹⁷For your songs, proverbs, parables, and interpretations, the countries marveled at you. ¹⁸By the name of the Lord God, who is called the God of Israel, you gathered gold like tin, and multiplied silver like lead. ¹⁹You bowed your loins to women, and in your body you were brought into subjection. ²⁰You blemished your honor, and defiled your offspring, to bring wrath upon your children. I was grieved for your folly, ²¹because the sovereignty was divided, and a disobedient kingdom ruled out of Ephraim. ²²But the Lord will never forsake his mercy. He won’t destroy any of his works, nor blot out the posterity of his elect. He won’t take away the offspring of him who loved him. He gave a remnant to Jacob, and to David a root from his own family.

²³So Solomon rested with his fathers. Of his offspring, he left behind him Rehoboam, the foolishness of the people, and one who lacked understanding, who made the people revolt by his counsel. Also Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, and gave a way of sin to Ephraim. ²⁴Their sins were multiplied exceedingly, until they were removed from their land. ²⁵For they sought out all manner of wickedness, until vengeance came upon them.