The Holy Bible
« Chapter 17 «--- Sirach ---» Chapter 19»
Sirach 18 : 1 - 33
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.
|
Acknowledgement
Opening page