Book 26 Ecclesiasticus (continued 1)
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
35:4. He shall return thanks, that offereth fine flour: and he that doth mercy, offereth sacrifice.
35:5. To depart from iniquity is that which pleaseth the Lord, and to depart from injustice, is an entreaty for sins.
35:6. Thou shalt not appear empty in the sight of the Lord.
35:7. For all these things are to be done because of the commandment of God.
35:8. The oblation of the just maketh the altar fat, and is an odour of sweetness in the sight of the most High.
35:9. The sacrifice of the just is acceptable, and the Lord will not forget the memorial thereof.
35:10. Give glory to God with a good heart: and diminish not the firstfruits of thy hands.
35:11. In every gift shew a cheerful countenance, and sanctify thy tithes with joy.
35:12. Give to the most High according to what he hath given to thee, and with a good eye do according to the ability of thy hands:
35:13. For the Lord maketh recompense, and will give thee seven times as much.
35:14. Do not offer wicked gifts, for such he will not receive.
35:15. And look not upon an unjust sacrifice, for the Lord is judge, and there is not with him respect of person.
35:16. The Lord will not accept any person against a poor man, and he will hear the prayer of him that is wronged.
35:17. He will not despise the prayers of the fatherless: nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint.
35:18. Do not the widow's tears run down the cheek, and her cry against him that causeth them to fall?
35:19. For from the cheek they go up even to heaven, and the Lord that heareth will not be delighted with them.
35:20. He that adoreth God with joy, shall be accepted, and his prayer shall approach even to the clouds.
35:21. The prayer of him that humbleth himself, shall pierce the clouds: and till it come nigh he will not be comforted: and he will not depart till the most High behold.
35:22. And the Lord will not be slack, but will judge for the just, and will do judgment: and the Almighty will not have patience with them, that he may crush their back:
35:23. And he will repay vengeance to the Gentiles, till he have taken away the multitude of the proud, and broken the sceptres of the unjust,
35:24. Till he have rendered to men according to their deeds: and according to the works of Adam, and according to his presumption,
35:25. Till he have judged the cause of his people, and he shall delight the just with his mercy.
35:26. The mercy of God is beautiful in the time of affliction, as a cloud of rain in the time of drought.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 36
A prayer for the church of God. Of a good heart, and a good wife.
36:1. Have mercy upon us, O God of all, and behold us, and shew us the light of thy mercies:
36:2. And send thy fear upon the nations, that have not sought after thee: that they may know that there is no God beside thee, and that they may shew forth thy wonders.
36:3. Lift up thy hand over the strange nations, that they may see thy power.
36:4. For as thou hast been sanctified in us in their sight, so thou shalt be magnified among them in our presence,
36:5. That they may know thee, as we also have known thee, that there is no God beside thee, O Lord.
36:6. Renew thy signs, and work new miracles.
36:7. Glorify thy hand, and thy right arm.
36:8. Raise up indignation, and pour out wrath.
36:9. Take away the adversary, and crush the enemy.
36:10. Hasten the time, and remember the end, that they may declare thy wonderful works.
36:11. Let him that escapeth be consumed by the rage of the fire: and let them perish that oppress thy people.
36:12. Crush the head of the princes of the enemies that say: There is no other beside us.
36:13. Gather together all the tribes of Jacob: that they may know that there no God besides thee, and may declare thy great works: and thou shalt inherit them as from the beginning.
36:14. Have mercy on thy people, upon whom thy name is invoked: and upon Israel, whom thou hast raised up to be thy firstborn.
36:15. Have mercy on Jerusalem, the city which thou hast sanctified, the city of thy rest.