The Book of Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus)
Chapter 18
1 – He that liveth for ever created all things together. God only shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king for ever.
2 – Who is able to declare his works?
3 – For who shall search out his glorious acts?
4 – And who shall shew forth the power of his majesty? or who shall be able to declare his mercy?
5 – Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to find out the glorious works of God:
6 – When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth off, he shall be at a loss.
7 – What is man, and what is his grace? and what is his good, or what is his evil?
8 – The number of the days of men at the most are a hundred years: as a drop of water of the sea are they esteemed: and as a pebble of the sand, so are a few years compared to eternity.
9 – Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.
10 – He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is wicked, and hath known their end that it is evil.
11 – Therefore bath he filled up his mercy in their favour, and hath shewn them the way of justice.
12 – The compassion of man is toward his neighbour: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh.
13 – He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his hock.
14 – He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and that maketh haste in his judgments.
15 – My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou givest any thing, add not grief by an evil word.
16 – Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so also the good word is better than the gift.
17 – Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a justified man.
18 – A fool will upbraid bitterly: and a gift of one ill taught consumeth the eyes.
19 – Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou speak.
20 – Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God.
21 – Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness shew thy conversation.
22 – Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth for ever.
23 – Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God.
24 – Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face.
25 – Remember poverty is the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches.
26 – From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.
27 – A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the days of sine will beware of sloth.
28 – Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise to him that findeth her.
29 – They that were of good understanding in words, have also done wisely themselves: and have understood truth and justice, and have poured forth pro- verbs and judgments.
30 – Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from thy own will.
31 – If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies.
32 – Take no pleasure in riotous assemblies, be they ever so small: for their concertation is continual.
33 – Make not thyself poor by borrowing to contribute to feasts when thou hast nothing in thy purse : for thou shalt be an enemy to thy own life.
The Catholic Bible Online. Scriptures are from The Douay Rheims Catholic Bible 1582-1610 a.d. Version In the Public Domain. The Douay Rheims Bible is a translation of the Bible from the Latin Vulgate into English undertaken by members of the English College, Douai in the service of the Catholic Church.