Sirach 16 — WEBC
16Verse 1Don’t desire a multitude of unprofitable children,neither delight in ungodly sons.Verse 2If they multiply, don’t delight in themunless the fear of the Lord is in them.Verse 3Don’t trust in their life.Don’t rely on their numbers;
for one can be better than a thousand,
and to die childless than to have ungodly children.Verse 4For from one who has understanding, a city will be populated,but a race of wicked men will be made desolate.Verse 5I have seen many such things with my eyes.My ear has heard mightier things than these.Verse 6In a congregation of sinners, a fire will be kindled.In a disobedient nation, wrath is kindled.Verse 7He was not pacified toward the giants of old time,who revolted in their strength.Verse 8He didn’t spare Lot’s neighbors,whom he abhorred for their pride.Verse 9He didn’t pity the people of perditionwho were taken away in their sins,
Verse 10or in like manner, the six hundred thousand footmen
who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.Verse 11Even if there is one stiff-necked person,it is a marvel if he will be unpunished;
for mercy and wrath are both with him who is mighty to forgive,
and he pours out wrath.Verse 12As his mercy is great, so is his correction also.He judges a man according to his works.Verse 13The sinner will not escape with plunder.The perseverance of the godly will not be frustrated.Verse 14He will make room for every work of mercy.Each man will receive according to his works.Verse 15+Verse 17Don’t say, “I will be hidden from the Lord,”and “Who will remember me from on high?”I will not be known among so many people,for what is my soul in a boundless creation?Verse 18Behold, the heaven, the heaven of heavens,the deep, and the earth, will be moved when he visits.Verse 19The mountains and the foundations of the earth togetherare shaken with trembling when he looks at them.Verse 20No heart will think about these things.Who could comprehend his ways?Verse 21Like a tempest which no man can see,so, the majority of his works are+hidden.Verse 22Who will declare his works of righteousness?Who will wait for them?
For his covenant is afar off.+Verse 23He who is lacking in+understanding thinks about these things.An unwise and erring man thinks foolishly.Verse 24My son, listen to me, learn knowledge,and heed my words with your heart.Verse 25I will impart instruction with precision,and declare knowledge exactly.Verse 26In the judgment of the Lord are his works from the beginning.From the making of them he determined their boundaries.Verse 27He arranged his works for all time,and their beginnings to their generations.They aren’t hungry or weary,and they don’t cease from their works.Verse 28No one pushes aside his neighbor.They will never disobey his word.Verse 29After this also the Lord looked at the earthand filled it with his blessings.Verse 30All manner of living things covered its surface,and they return into it.
for one can be better than a thousand,
and to die childless than to have ungodly children.Verse 4For from one who has understanding, a city will be populated,but a race of wicked men will be made desolate.Verse 5I have seen many such things with my eyes.My ear has heard mightier things than these.Verse 6In a congregation of sinners, a fire will be kindled.In a disobedient nation, wrath is kindled.Verse 7He was not pacified toward the giants of old time,who revolted in their strength.Verse 8He didn’t spare Lot’s neighbors,whom he abhorred for their pride.Verse 9He didn’t pity the people of perditionwho were taken away in their sins,
Verse 10or in like manner, the six hundred thousand footmen
who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.Verse 11Even if there is one stiff-necked person,it is a marvel if he will be unpunished;
for mercy and wrath are both with him who is mighty to forgive,
and he pours out wrath.Verse 12As his mercy is great, so is his correction also.He judges a man according to his works.Verse 13The sinner will not escape with plunder.The perseverance of the godly will not be frustrated.Verse 14He will make room for every work of mercy.Each man will receive according to his works.Verse 15+Verse 17Don’t say, “I will be hidden from the Lord,”and “Who will remember me from on high?”I will not be known among so many people,for what is my soul in a boundless creation?Verse 18Behold, the heaven, the heaven of heavens,the deep, and the earth, will be moved when he visits.Verse 19The mountains and the foundations of the earth togetherare shaken with trembling when he looks at them.Verse 20No heart will think about these things.Who could comprehend his ways?Verse 21Like a tempest which no man can see,so, the majority of his works are+hidden.Verse 22Who will declare his works of righteousness?Who will wait for them?
For his covenant is afar off.+Verse 23He who is lacking in+understanding thinks about these things.An unwise and erring man thinks foolishly.Verse 24My son, listen to me, learn knowledge,and heed my words with your heart.Verse 25I will impart instruction with precision,and declare knowledge exactly.Verse 26In the judgment of the Lord are his works from the beginning.From the making of them he determined their boundaries.Verse 27He arranged his works for all time,and their beginnings to their generations.They aren’t hungry or weary,and they don’t cease from their works.Verse 28No one pushes aside his neighbor.They will never disobey his word.Verse 29After this also the Lord looked at the earthand filled it with his blessings.Verse 30All manner of living things covered its surface,and they return into it.