Sirach 6:19 - Come to her as one that plows and sows, And wait for her good fruits; For your toil will be little in the tillage of her, And you will eat of her fruits right soon.

Generated Verse: Sirach 6:19

What does "Sirach 6:19" mean?


This verse from Sirach 6:19 uses the metaphor of farming to describe the benefits of pursuing wisdom (represented by "her"). Let's break it down:

"Come to her as one that plows and sows": This means approaching wisdom with diligence and effort, like a farmer preparing the soil (plowing) and planting seeds (sowing). It suggests active learning, seeking knowledge, and being receptive to new ideas. It's not a passive endeavor, but one that requires active participation and hard work.

"And wait for her good fruits": Like a farmer waiting for the harvest, one must be patient and persistent in the pursuit of wisdom. The "good fruits" are the positive outcomes of wisdom, such as understanding, good judgment, moral character, and success in life.

"For your toil will be little in the tillage of her": This part is a bit more nuanced. It suggests that while the initial effort is required, the long-term cultivation of wisdom becomes easier and more rewarding. "Tillage" refers to the continued working of the soil (or the ongoing application of wisdom). The verse implies that the effort required to maintain wisdom is less than the initial effort to acquire it, or that the rewards far outweigh the effort.

"And you will eat of her fruits right soon.": This suggests that the benefits of wisdom are realized relatively quickly. Unlike a long farming cycle, the rewards of pursuing wisdom are not far off. This contrasts with the idea that benefits are delayed. It's about relatively quick understanding and rewards.

In essence, the verse encourages diligent and patient pursuit of wisdom, promising that the effort will be fruitful and the rewards will be realized relatively quickly. It highlights that while wisdom requires initial investment and patience, it eventually yields abundant benefits with less effort in the long run. It's a call to action, urging the reader to actively seek wisdom and promising a worthwhile return on investment.

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