| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 1 Praise of wisdom (1:1-30) 1:26 If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord will bestow it on you.(1:26) | Seeking for wisdom | 13 Person who is happy (14:1-27) 14:20 Blessed is anyone who meditates on wisdom, and reasons with intelligence,(14:20) |
| 2 Person who fear the LORD (2:1-18) 2:17 Those who fear the Lord keep their hearts prepared and humble themselves in his presence.(2:17) | Humility / Pride | 12 Rich man and rulers (13:1-26) 13:1 Whoever touches pitch will be defiled, and anyone who associates with the proud will come to be like them.(13:1) |
| 3 Commandments to the child (3:1-4:10) 3:27 A stubborn heart is weighed down with troubles, the sinner heaps sin on sin.(3:27) | Rewards of evils | 11 True friend (11:29-12:18) 12:3 No good will come to one who persists in evil, or who refuses to give alms.(12:3) |
| 4 Trust in wisdom (4:11-5:15) 4:20 Take circumstances into account and beware of evil, and have no cause to be ashamed of yourself;(4:20) | Evaluate oneself | 10 Wealth and poverty (10:28-11:28) 10:28 My child, be modest in your self-esteem, and value yourself at your proper worth.(10:28) |
| 5 Friendship (6:1-17) 6:4 For contumacious desire destroys its owner and makes him the sport of his enemies (6:4) | Stubborn anger | 9 Rulers (10:1-27) 10:18 Insolence is not allotted to a man, nor stubborn anger to one born of woman. (10:18) |
| 6 Blessings of wisdom (6:18-37) 6:23 Listen, my child, and take my advice, do not reject my counsel:(6:23) | Listening to | 8 Wise man (8:8-9:18) 8:8 Do not scorn the discourse of the wise, but make yourself familiar with their maxims, since from these you will learn the theory and the art of serving the great.(8:8) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 1 Praise of wisdom (1:1-30) 1:11 The fear of the Lord is glory and pride, happiness and a crown of joyfulness.(1:11) | Fearing the LORD | 7 Avoid evils (7:1-8:7) 7:31 Fear the Lord and honour the priest and give him the portion enjoined on you: first-fruits, sacrifice of reparation, shoulder-gift, sanctification sacrifice, first-fruits of the holy things.(7:31) |
| 2 Person who fear the LORD (2:1-18) 2:1 My child, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal.(2:1) | Expostulation to a child | 6 Blessings of wisdom (6:18-37) 6:18 My child, from your earliest youth choose instruction, and till your hair is white you will keep finding wisdom.(6:18) |
| 3 Commandments to the child (3:1-4:10) 4:1 My child, do not refuse the poor a livelihood, do not tantalise the needy.(4:1) | Charity | 5 Friendship (6:1-17) 6:1 for a bad name will earn you shame and reproach, as happens to the double-talking sinner.(6:1) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 7 Avoid evils (7:1-8:7) 7:18 Do not barter a friend away for the sake of profit, nor a true brother for the gold of Ophir.(7:18) | Greedy for money | 13 Person who is happy (14:1-27) 14:8 Wicked the person who has an envious eye, averting his face, and careless of others' lives.(14:8) |
| 8 Wise man (8:8-9:18) 8:12 Do not lend to anyone who is stronger than you are -- if you do lend, resign yourself to loss.(8:12) | Deprive of money | 12 Rich man and rulers (13:1-26) 13:5 Are you well off? - he will live with you, he will clean you out without a single qualm.(13:5) |
| 9 Rulers (10:1-27) 10:7 Pride is hateful to God and humanity, and injustice is abhorrent to both.(10:7) | Pride | 11 True friend (11:29-12:18) 11:30 Like a captive partridge in a cage, so is the heart of the proud: like a spy he watches for your downfall,(11:30) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 13 Person who is happy (14:1-27) 14:20 Blessed is anyone who meditates on wisdom, and reasons with intelligence,(14:20) | Quest for wisdom | 25 Praise of wisdom (24:1-34) 24:28 The first man did not finish discovering about her, nor has the most recent tracked her down;(24:28) |
| 14 Seeking wisdom (15:1-20) 15:7 Fools will not gain possession of her, nor will sinners set eyes on her.(15:7) | Sinners | 24 Concerning sexual sins (23:16-28) 23:16 There are two types of people who commit sin after sin and a third who attracts retribution-(23:16) |
| 15 Punishment of sinners (16:1-25) 16:17 Do not say, 'I shall hide from the Lord; who is going to remember me up there? I shall not be noticed among so many people; what am I in the immensity of creation?'(16:17) | How to speak | 23 Foul language (23:7-15) 23:7 Children, listen to what I teach, no one who keeps it will be caught out.(23:7) |
| 16 The creation (16:26-17:24) 17:14 He said to them, Beware of all wrong-doing; he gave each a commandment concerning his neighbour.(17:14) | Avoiding sins | 22 Prayer for help against sin (22:27-23:6) 23:2 Who will lay whips to my thoughts, and the discipline of wisdom to my heart, to be merciless to my errors and not let my sins go unchecked,(23:2) |
| 17 Judgement of the LORD (17:25-18:14) 17:25 Return to the Lord and renounce your sins, plead before his face, stop offending him.(17:25) | Avoiding sins | 21 Wisdom and foolishness (21:1-22:26) 21:1 My child, have you sinned? Do so no more, and ask forgiveness for your previous faults.(21:1) |
| 18 Cautiously (18:15-19:3) 18:19 Learn before you speak, take care of yourself before you fall ill.(18:19) | Woe of mouth | 20 Gifts (20:1-32) 20:18 Better a slip on the pavement than a slip of the tongue; this is how ruin takes the wicked by surprise.(20:18) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 13 Person who is happy (14:1-27) 14:1 Blessed is anyone who has not sinned in speech and who needs feel no remorse for sins.(14:1) | Woe of mouth | 19 Against loose talk (19:4-30) 19:8 whether to friend or foe, do not talk about it, unless it would be sinful not to, do not reveal it;(19:8) |
| 14 Seeking wisdom (15:1-20) 15:7 Fools will not gain possession of her, nor will sinners set eyes on her.(15:7) | Fools | 18 Cautiously (18:15-19:3) 18:18 A fool will offer nothing but insult, and a grudging gift makes the eyes smart.(18:18) |
| 15 Punishment of sinners (16:1-25) 16:11 For mercy and anger alike are with him who remits and forgives, though on the wicked alights his wrath. (16:11) | Mercy and forgiveness | 17 Judgement of the LORD (17:25-18:14) 17:29 How great the mercy of the LORD, his forgiveness of those who return to him (17:24) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 19 Against loose talk (19:4-30) 19:20 Wisdom consists entirely in fearing the Lord, and wisdom is entirely constituted by the fulfilling of the Law.(19:20) | Torah | 25 Praise of wisdom (24:1-34) 24:23 All this is no other than the Book of the Covenant of the Most High God, the Law that Moses enjoined on us, an inheritance for the communities of Jacob.(24:23) |
| 20 Gifts (20:1-32) 20:26 Lying is an abominable habit, the liar's disgrace lasts for ever.(20:26) | Shame | 24 Concerning sexual sins (23:16-28) 23:26 She will leave an accursed memory behind her, her shame will never be wiped out.(23:26) |
| 21 Wisdom and foolishness (21:1-22:26) 21:1 My child, have you sinned? Do so no more, and ask forgiveness for your previous faults.(21:1) | Expostulation to a child | 23 Foul language (23:7-15) 23:7 Children, listen to what I teach, no one who keeps it will be caught out.(23:7) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 25 Praise of wisdom (24:1-34) 24:23 All this is no other than the Book of the Covenant of the Most High God, the Law that Moses enjoined on us, an inheritance for the communities of Jacob.(24:23) | Torah | 37 Offerings (34:13-35:26) 35:1 One who keeps the Law multiplies offerings; one who follows the commandments offers communion sacrifices.(35:1) |
| 26 Good wife and evil wife (25:1-27:3) 25:5 How fine a thing: wisdom in the aged, and considered advice coming from people of distinction!(25:5) | Wisdom through experiences | 36 Dreams and experiences (34:1-12) 34:9 A much travelled man knows many things, and a man of great experience will talk sound sense.(34:9) |
| 27 Revelation of a secret (27:4-21) 27:5 The kiln tests the work of the potter, the test of a person is in conversation.(27:5) | A pottery | 35 Believer and sinner (33:7-33) 33:13 Like clay in the hands of the potter to mould as it pleases him, so are human beings in the hands of their Maker to reward as he judges right.(33:13) |
| 28 Hypocrisy (27:22-28:7) 28:6 Remember the last things, and stop hating, corruption and death, and be faithful to the commandments.(28:6) | Commandments of the LORD | 34 Torah (32:14-33:6) 32:24 Anyone who trusts in the Law obeys its precepts, no one who has confidence in the Lord will come to harm.(32:24) |
| 29 Backbiting (28:8-26) 28:8 Avoid quarrelling and you will sin less; for the hot-tempered provokes quarrels,(28:8) | How to speak | 33 Table etiquette (31:12-32:13) 32:7 Speak, young man, when you must, but twice at most, and then only if questioned.(32:7) |
| 30 Aid of neighbors (29:1-28) 29:8 Nevertheless, be patient with those who are badly off, do not keep them waiting on your generosity.(29:8) | Charity | 32 Health and wealth (30:14-31:11) 31:11 His fortune will be firmly based and the assembly will acclaim his generosity.(31:11) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 25 Praise of wisdom (24:1-34) 24:33 I shall pour out teaching like prophecy, as a legacy to all future generations.(24:33) | Education of children | 31 Upbringing of a child (30:1-13) 30:3 Whoever educates his son will be the envy of his enemy, and will be proud of him among his friends.(30:3) |
| 26 Good wife and evil wife (25:1-27:3) 25:2 There are three sorts of people my soul hates, and whose existence I consider an outrage: the poor swollen with pride, the rich who is a liar and an adulterous old man who has no sense.(25:2) | Rich and poor | 30 Aid of neighbors (29:1-28) 29:8 Nevertheless, be patient with those who are badly off, do not keep them waiting on your generosity.(29:8) |
| 27 Revelation of a secret (27:4-21) 27:4 In a shaken sieve the rubbish is left behind, so too the defects of a person appear in speech.(27:4) | How to speak | 29 Backbiting (28:8-26) 28:8 Avoid quarrelling and you will sin less; for the hot-tempered provokes quarrels,(28:8) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 31 Upbringing of a child (30:1-13) 30:4 Even when the father dies, he might well not be dead, since he leaves his likeness behind him.(30:4) | Father and children | 37 Offerings (34:13-35:26) 34:20 Offering sacrifice from the property of the poor is as bad as slaughtering a son before his father's eyes. (34:20) |
| 32 Health and wealth (30:14-31:11) 31:7 since it is a snare for those who sacrifice to it and stupid people all get caught in it.(31:7) | Being astray | 36 Dreams and experiences (34:1-12) 34:7 for dreams have led many astray, and those who relied on them have come to grief.(34:7) |
| 33 Table etiquette (31:12-32:13) 31:19 A little is quite enough for a well-bred person; his breathing is easy when he lies in bed.(31:19) | Upbringing | 35 Believer and sinner (33:7-33) 33:25 Fodder, the stick and burdens for a donkey, bread, discipline and work for a slave.(33:25) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 37 Offerings (34:13-35:26) 34:15 Happy the soul of one who fears the Lord. (34:15) | A happy person | 49 Conclusion (50:27-29) 50:28 Blessed is he who devotes his time to these and grows wise by taking them to heart!(50:28) |
| 38 A Prayer for God's people (36:1-17) 36:3 As, in their sight, you have proved yourself holy to us, so now, in our sight, prove yourself great to them.(36:3) | Showing the power of the LORD | 48 Ancestors (44:1-50:26) 44:2 The Lord has created an abundance of glory, and displayed his greatness from earliest times.(44:2) |
| 39 Concerning Advice (36:18-37:12) 37:12 But have constant recourse to some devout person, whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, whose soul matches your own, and who, if you go wrong, will be sympathetic.(37:12) | Devout person | 47 Creation of all things (42:15-43:33) 43:33 the Lord himself having created all things and given wisdom to those who are devout.(43:33) |
| 40 Investigation of oneself (37:13-31) 37:23 But the truly wise instructs his people and his intellectual conclusions are certainties.(37:23) | Showing wisdom | 46 Concerning Shame (41:14-42:14) 41:15 Better someone who hides his folly than one who hides his wisdom.(41:15) |
| 41 Doctor (38:1-23) 38:16 My child, shed tears over the dead, lament for the dead to show your sorrow, then bury the body with due ceremony and do not fail to honour the grave.(38:16) | Mourning | 45 Concerning death (40:18-41:13) 41:11 Mourning concerns only the bodies of the dead, but the worthless name of sinners will be blotted out.(41:11) |
| 42 Scholar (38:24-39:11) 39:11 If he lives long, his name will be more glorious than a thousand others, and if he dies, that will satisfy him just as well.(39:11) | Death | 44 Hardships of life (40:1-17) 40:2 What fills them with foreboding and their hearts with fear is dread of the day of death.(40:2) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 37 Offerings (34:13-35:26) 35:7 Honour the Lord with generosity, do not stint the first-fruits you bring. (35:7) | Praise for the LORD | 43 The works of the LORD (39:12-35) 39:35 So now, sing with all your heart and voice, and bless the name of the Lord!'(39:35) |
| 38 A Prayer for God's people (36:1-17) 36:4 Let them acknowledge you, just as we have acknowledged that there is no God but you, Lord. (36:4) | Spreading faith | 42 Scholar (38:24-39:11) 39:9 Many will praise his intelligence and it will never be forgotten. His memory will not disappear, generation after generation his name will live.(39:9) |
| 39 Concerning Advice (36:18-37:12) 37:7 Any adviser will offer advice, but some are governed by self-interest.(37:7) | Helper | 41 Doctor (38:1-23) 38:12 Then let the doctor take over -- the Lord created him too -- do not let him leave you, for you need him.(38:12) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 43 The works of the LORD (39:12-35) 39:32 That is why I was determined from the outset, why I have pondered and why I have written,(39:32) | Writings | 49 Conclusion (50:27-29) 50:27 Instruction in wisdom and knowledge is what has been written in this book by Jesus son of Sira Eleazar of Jerusalem, who has poured a rain of wisdom from his heart.(50:27) |
| 44 Hardships of life (40:1-17) 40:1 A hard lot has been created for human beings, a heavy yoke lies on the children of Adam from the day they come out of their mother's womb, till the day they return to the mother of them all.(40:1) | Descendants | 48 Ancestors (44:1-50:26) 44:12 Their descendants stand by the commandments and, thanks to them, so do their children's children.(44:12) |
| 45 Concerning death (40:18-41:13) 41:13 A good life lasts a certain number of days, but a good reputation lasts for ever.(41:13) | Eternal | 47 Creation of all things (42:15-43:33) 42:21 He has embellished the magnificent works of his wisdom, he is from everlasting to everlasting, nothing can be added to him, nothing taken away, he needs no ones advice.(42:21) |