The Book of Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus) [The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus]
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Anonymous
17:15 Their ways are ever before him, and shall not be hid from his eyes.
17:16 Every man from his youth is given to evil; neither could they make to themselves fleshy hearts for stony.
17:17 For in the division of the nations of the whole earth he set a ruler over every people; but Israel is the Lord’s portion:
17:18 Whom, being his firstborn, he nourisheth with discipline, and giving him the light of his love doth not forsake him.
17:19 Therefore all their works are as the sun before him, and his eyes are continually upon their ways.
17:20 None of their unrighteous deeds are hid from him, but all their sins are before the Lord
17:21 But the Lord being gracious and knowing his workmanship, neither left nor forsook them, but spared them.
17:22 The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and he will keep the good deeds of man as the apple of the eye, and give repentance to his sons and daughters.
17:23 Afterwards he will rise up and reward them, and render their recompence upon their heads.
17:24 But unto them that repent, he granted them return, and comforted those that failed in patience.
17:25 Return unto the Lord, and forsake thy sins, make thy prayer before his face, and offend less.
17:26 Turn again to the most High, and turn away from iniquity: for he will lead thee out of darkness into the light of health, and hate thou abomination vehemently.
17:27 Who shall praise the most High in the grave, instead of them which live and give thanks?
17:28 Thanksgiving perisheth from the dead, as from one that is not: the living and sound in heart shall praise the Lord.
17:29 How great is the lovingkindness of the Lord our God, and his compassion unto such as turn unto him in holiness!
17:30 For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal.
17:31 What is brighter than the sun? yet the light thereof faileth; and flesh and blood will imagine evil.
17:32 He vieweth the power of the height of heaven; and all men are but earth and ashes.
18:1 He that liveth for ever created all things in general.
18:2 The Lord only is righteous, and there is none other but he,
18:3 Who governeth the world with the palm of his hand, and all things obey his will: for he is the King of all, by his power dividing holy things among them from profane.
18:4 To whom hath he given power to declare his works? and who shall find out his noble acts?
18:5 Who shall number the strength of his majesty? and who shall also tell out his mercies?
18:6 As for the wondrous works of the Lord, there may nothing be taken from them, neither may any thing be put unto them, neither can the ground of them be found out.
18:7 When a man hath done, then he beginneth; and when he leaveth off, then he shall be doubtful.
18:8 What is man, and whereto serveth he? what is his good, and what is his evil?
18:9 The number of a man’s days at the most are an hundred years.
18:10 As a drop of water unto the sea, and a gravelstone in comparison of the sand; so are a thousand years to the days of eternity.
18:11 Therefore is God patient with them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.
18:12 He saw and perceived their end to be evil; therefore he multiplied his compassion.
18:13 The mercy of man is toward his neighbour; but the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh: he reproveth, and nurtureth, and teacheth and bringeth again, as a shepherd his flock.
18:14 He hath mercy on them that receive discipline, and that diligently seek after his judgments.
18:15 My son, blemish not thy good deeds, neither use uncomfortable words when thou givest any thing.
18:16 Shall not the dew asswage the heat? so is a word better than a gift.
18:17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a gracious man.
18:18 A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious consumeth the eyes.
18:19 Learn before thou speak, and use physick or ever thou be sick.
18:20 Before judgment examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy.
18:21 Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins shew repentance.
18:22 Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified.