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The Book of Jesus Sirach

⭑ Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 18 -

God’s works are wonderful: we must serve him, and not our lusts.

1
He that liveth for ever created all things together. God only shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king for ever.
2
Who is able to declare his works?
3
For who shall search out his glorious acts?
4
And who shall shew forth the power of his majesty? or who shall be able to declare his mercy?
5
Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to find out the glorious works of God:
6
When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth off, he shall be at a loss.
7
What is man, and what is his grace? and what is his good, or what is his evil?
8
The number of the days of men at the most are a hundred years: as a drop of water of the sea are they esteemed: and as a pebble of the sand, so are a few years compared to eternity.
9
Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.
10
He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is wicked, and hath known their end that it is evil.
11
Therefore bath he filled up his mercy in their favour, and hath shewn them the way of justice.
12
The compassion of man is toward his neighbour: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh.
13
He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his hock.
14
He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and that maketh haste in his judgments.
15
My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou givest any thing, add not grief by an evil word.
16
Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so also the good word is better than the gift.
17
Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a justified man.
18
A fool will upbraid bitterly: and a gift of one ill taught consumeth the eyes.
19
Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou speak.
20
Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God.
21
Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness shew thy conversation.
22
Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth for ever.
23
Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God.
24
Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face.
25
Remember poverty is the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches.
26
From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.
27
A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the days of sins will beware of sloth.
28
Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise to him that findeth her.
29
They that were of good understanding in words, have also done wisely themselves: and have understood truth and justice, and have poured forth proverbs and judgments.
30
Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from thy own will.
31
If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies.
32
Take no pleasure in riotous assemblies, be they ever so small: for their concertation is continual.
33
Make not thyself poor by borrowing to contribute to feasts when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt be an enemy to thy own life.

God’s works are wonderful: we must serve him, and not our lusts.

1
He who lives forever created the whole universe.
2
The Lord alone is just.
3
(a)
4
He has given power to declare his works to no one. Who could trace out his mighty deeds?
5
Who could measure the strength of his majesty? Who could also proclaim his mercies?
6
As for the wondrous works of the Lord, it is not possible to take from them nor add to them, neither is it possible to explore them.
7
When a man has finished, then he is just at the beginning. When he stops, then he will be perplexed.
8
What is mankind, and what purpose do they serve? What is their good, and what is their evil?
9
The number of man’s days at the most are a hundred years.
10
As a drop of water from the sea, and a pebble from the sand, so are a few years in the day of eternity.
11
For this cause the Lord was patient over them, and poured out his mercy upon them.
12
He saw and perceived their end, that it is evil. Therefore he multiplied his forgiveness.
13
The mercy of a man is on his neighbor; but the mercy of the Lord is on all flesh: reproving, chastening, teaching, and bringing back, as a shepherd does his flock.
14
He has mercy on those who accept chastening, and that diligently seek after his judgments.
15
My son, don’t add reproach to your good deeds, and no harsh words in any of your giving.
16
Doesn’t the dew relieve the scorching heat? So a word is better than a gift.
17
Behold, isn’t a word better than a gift? Both are with a gracious person.
18
A fool is ungracious and abusive. The gift of an grudging person consumes the eyes.
19
Learn before you speak. Take care of your health before you get sick.
20
Before judgment, examine yourself, and in the hour of scrutiny you will find forgiveness.
21
Humble yourself before you get sick. In the time of sins, repent.
22
Let nothing hinder you to pay your vow in due time. Don’t wait until death to be released.
23
Before you make a vow, prepare yourself. Don’t be like a man who tests the Lord.
24
Think about the wrath coming in the days of the end, and the time of vengeance, when he turns away his face.
25
In the days of fullness remember the time of hunger. Remember poverty and lack in the days of wealth.
26
From morning until evening, the time changes. All things are speedy before the Lord.
27
A wise man is cautious in everything. In days of sinning, he will beware of offense.(b)
28
Every man of understanding knows wisdom. He will give thanks to him who found her.
29
They who were of understanding in sayings also became wise themselves, and poured out apt proverbs.
30
Don’t go after your lusts. Restrain your appetites.
31
If you give fully to your soul the delight of her desire, she will make you(c) the laughing stock of your enemies.
32
Don’t make merry in much luxury, and don’t be tied to its expense.
33
Don’t be made a beggar by banqueting with borrowed money when you have nothing in your purse.(d)

Footnotes

(a)18:3 The remainder of verse 2, and verse 3, are omitted by the best authorities.
(b)18:27 The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.
(c)18:31 Or, a rejoicing to
(d)18:33 The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.
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