The Book of Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus)
Chapter 35
1 – He that keepeth the law, multiplieth offerings.
2 – It is a wholesome sacrifice to take heed to the commandments, and to depart from all iniquity. _J
3 – And to depart from injustice, is to offer a propitiatory sacrifice for injustices, and a begging of pardon for sins.
4 – He shall return thanks, that offereth fine flour: and he that doth mercy, offereth sacrifice.
5 – To depart from iniquity is that which pleaseth the Lord, and to depart from injustice, is an entreaty for sins.
6 – Thou shalt not appear empty in the sight of the Lord.
7 – For all these things are to be done because of the commandment of God.
8 – The oblation of the just maketh the altar fat, and is an odour of sweetness in the sight of the most High.
9 – The sacrifice of the just is acceptable, and the Lord will not forget the memorial thereof.
10 – Give glory to God with a good heart: and diminish not the firstfruits of thy hands.
11 – In every gift shew a cheerful countenance, and sanctify thy tithes with joy.
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:
13 – For the Lord maketh recompense, and will give thee seven times as much.
14 – Do not offer wicked gifts, for such he will not receive.
15 – And look not upon an unjust sacrifice, for the Lord is judge, and there is not with him respect of person.
16 – The Lord will not accept any person against a poor man, and he will hear the prayer of him that is wronged.
17 – He will not despise the prayers of the fatherless; nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint.
18 – Do not the widow’s tears run down the cheek, and her cry against him that causeth them to fall?
19 – For from the cheek they go up even to heaven, and the Lord that heareth will not be delighted with them.
20 – He that adoreth God with joy, shall be accepted, and his prayer shall approach even to the clouds.
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.
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:
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,
24 – Till he have rendered to men according to their deeds: and according to the works of Adam, and according to his presumption,
25 – Till he have judged the cause of his people, and he shall delight the just with his mercy.
26 – The mercy of God is beautiful in the time of affliction, as a cloud of rain in the time of drought.
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.