Sirach 18 — WEBU
18Verse 1He who lives forever created the whole universe.
Verse 2The Lord alone is just.Verse 3
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Verse 4He has given power to declare his works to no one.Who could trace out his mighty deeds?Verse 5Who could measure the strength of his majesty?Who could also proclaim his mercies?Verse 6As 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.Verse 7When a man has finished, then he is just at the beginning.When he stops, then he will be perplexed.Verse 8What is mankind, and what purpose do they serve?What is their good, and what is their evil?Verse 9The number of man’s days at the most are a hundred years.
Verse 10As a drop of water from the sea, and a pebble from the sand,so are a few years in the day of eternity.Verse 11For this cause the Lord was patient over them,and poured out his mercy upon them.Verse 12He saw and perceived their end, that it is evil.Therefore he multiplied his forgiveness.Verse 13The 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.Verse 14He has mercy on those who accept chastening,and that diligently seek after his judgments.Verse 15My son, don’t add reproach to your good deeds,and no harsh words in any of your giving.Verse 16Doesn’t the dew relieve the scorching heat?So a word is better than a gift.Verse 17Behold, isn’t a word better than a gift?Both are with a gracious person.Verse 18A fool is ungracious and abusive.The gift of a grudging person consumes the eyes.Verse 19Learn before you speak.Take care of your health before you get sick.Verse 20Before judgment, examine yourself,and in the hour of scrutiny you will find forgiveness.Verse 21Humble yourself before you get sick.In the time of sins, repent.Verse 22Let nothing hinder you to pay your vow in due time.Don’t wait until death to be released.Verse 23Before you make a vow, prepare yourself.Don’t be like a man who tests the Lord.Verse 24Think about the wrath coming in the days of the end,and the time of vengeance, when he turns away his face.Verse 25In the days of fullness remember the time of hunger.Remember poverty and lack in the days of wealth.Verse 26From morning until evening, the time changes.All things are speedy before the Lord.Verse 27A wise man is cautious in everything.In days of sinning, he will beware of offense.+Verse 28Every man of understanding knows wisdom.He will give thanks to him who found her.Verse 29They who were of understanding in sayings also became wise themselves,and poured out apt proverbs.Verse 30Don’t go after your lusts.Restrain your appetites.Verse 31If you give fully to your soul the delight of her desire,she will make you+the laughing stock of your enemies.Verse 32Don’t make merry in much luxury,and don’t be tied to its expense.Verse 33Don’t be made a beggar by banqueting with borrowed moneywhen you have nothing in your purse.+
Verse 2The Lord alone is just.Verse 3
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Verse 4He has given power to declare his works to no one.Who could trace out his mighty deeds?Verse 5Who could measure the strength of his majesty?Who could also proclaim his mercies?Verse 6As 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.Verse 7When a man has finished, then he is just at the beginning.When he stops, then he will be perplexed.Verse 8What is mankind, and what purpose do they serve?What is their good, and what is their evil?Verse 9The number of man’s days at the most are a hundred years.
Verse 10As a drop of water from the sea, and a pebble from the sand,so are a few years in the day of eternity.Verse 11For this cause the Lord was patient over them,and poured out his mercy upon them.Verse 12He saw and perceived their end, that it is evil.Therefore he multiplied his forgiveness.Verse 13The 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.Verse 14He has mercy on those who accept chastening,and that diligently seek after his judgments.Verse 15My son, don’t add reproach to your good deeds,and no harsh words in any of your giving.Verse 16Doesn’t the dew relieve the scorching heat?So a word is better than a gift.Verse 17Behold, isn’t a word better than a gift?Both are with a gracious person.Verse 18A fool is ungracious and abusive.The gift of a grudging person consumes the eyes.Verse 19Learn before you speak.Take care of your health before you get sick.Verse 20Before judgment, examine yourself,and in the hour of scrutiny you will find forgiveness.Verse 21Humble yourself before you get sick.In the time of sins, repent.Verse 22Let nothing hinder you to pay your vow in due time.Don’t wait until death to be released.Verse 23Before you make a vow, prepare yourself.Don’t be like a man who tests the Lord.Verse 24Think about the wrath coming in the days of the end,and the time of vengeance, when he turns away his face.Verse 25In the days of fullness remember the time of hunger.Remember poverty and lack in the days of wealth.Verse 26From morning until evening, the time changes.All things are speedy before the Lord.Verse 27A wise man is cautious in everything.In days of sinning, he will beware of offense.+Verse 28Every man of understanding knows wisdom.He will give thanks to him who found her.Verse 29They who were of understanding in sayings also became wise themselves,and poured out apt proverbs.Verse 30Don’t go after your lusts.Restrain your appetites.Verse 31If you give fully to your soul the delight of her desire,she will make you+the laughing stock of your enemies.Verse 32Don’t make merry in much luxury,and don’t be tied to its expense.Verse 33Don’t be made a beggar by banqueting with borrowed moneywhen you have nothing in your purse.+