Sirach 18 — RVA

18Verse 1He that liveth for ever created all things in common.
^{Verse 2}The Lord alone shall be justified.^{Verse 3
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Verse 4}To none hath he given power to declare his works:
And who shall trace out his mighty deeds?
^{Verse 5}Who shall number the strength of his majesty?
And who shall also tell out his mercies?
^{Verse 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 track them out.
^{Verse 7}When a man hath finished, then he is but at the beginning;
And when he ceaseth, then shall he be in perplexity.
^{Verse 8}What is man, and whereto serveth he?
What is his good, and what is his evil?
^{Verse 9}The number of man’s days at the most are a hundred years.
^{Verse 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.
^{Verse 11}For this cause the Lord was longsuffering over them,
And poured out his mercy upon them.
^{Verse 12}He saw and perceived their end, that it is evil;
Therefore he multiplied his forgiveness.
^{Verse 13}The mercy of a man is upon his neighbour;
But the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh;
Reproving, and chastening, and teaching,
And bringing again, as a shepherd doth his flock.
^{Verse 14}He hath mercy on them that accept chastening,
And that diligently seek after his judgements.^{Verse 15}My son, to thy good deeds add no blemish;
And no grief of words in any of thy giving.
^{Verse 16}Shall not the dew assuage the scorching heat?
So is a word better than a gift.
^{Verse 17}Lo, is not a word better than a gift?
And both are with a gracious man.
^{Verse 18}A fool will upbrade ungraciously;
And the gift of an envious man consumeth the eyes.^{Verse 19}Learn before thou speak;
And have a care of thy health or ever thou be sick.
^{Verse 20}Before judgement examine thyself;
And in the hour of visitation thou shalt find forgiveness.
^{Verse 21}Humble thyself before thou be sick;
And in the time of sins shew repentance.
^{Verse 22}Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time;
And wait not until death to be justified.
^{Verse 23}Before thou makest a vow, prepare thyself;
And be not as a man that tempteth the Lord.
^{Verse 24}Think upon the wrath that shall be in the days of the end,
And the time of vengeance, when he turneth away his face.
^{Verse 25}In the days of fulness remember the time of hunger,
And poverty and want in the days of wealth.
^{Verse 26}From morning until evening the time changeth;
And all things are speedy before the Lord.
^{Verse 27}A wise man will fear in everything;
And in days of sinning he will beware of offence.^{+
Verse 28}Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom;
And he will give thanks unto him that found her.
^{Verse 29}They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise themselves,
And poured forth apt proverbs.^{Verse 30}Go not after thy lusts;
And refrain thyself from thine appetites.
^{Verse 31}If thou give fully to thy soul the delight of her desire,
She will make thee⁺the laughingstock of thine enemies.
^{Verse 32}Make not merry in much luxury;
Neither be tied to the expense thereof.
^{Verse 33}Be not made a beggar by banqueting upon borrowing,
When thou hast nothing in thy purse.⁺