Ecclesiasticus / Sirach - The Old Testament

¹ He who lives for ever has created the sum of things.

² The Lord alone will be found just.

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4</sup> He has given no one the power to proclaim his works to the end, and who can fathom his magnificent deeds?

⁵ Who can assess his magnificent strength, and who can go further and tell all of his mercies?

⁶ Nothing can be added to them, nothing subtracted, it is impossible to fathom the marvels of the Lord.

⁷ When someone finishes he is only beginning, and when he stops he is as puzzled as ever.

⁸ What is a human being, what purpose does he serve? What is good and what is bad for him?

⁹ The length of his life: a hundred years at most.

¹⁰ Like a drop of water from the sea, or a grain of sand, such are these few years compared with eternity.

¹¹ This is why the Lord is patient with them and pours out his mercy on them.

¹² He sees and recognises how wretched their end is, and so he makes his forgiveness the greater.

¹³ Human compassion extends to neighbours, but the Lord's compassion extends to everyone; rebuking, correcting and teaching, bringing them back as a shepherd brings his flock.

¹⁴ He has compassion on those who accept correction, and who fervently search for his judgements.

¹⁵ My child, do not temper your favours with blame nor any of your gifts with words that hurt.

¹⁶ Does not dew relieve the heat? In the same way a word is worth more than a gift.

¹⁷ Why surely, a word is better than a good present, but a generous person is ready with both.

¹⁸ A fool will offer nothing but insult, and a grudging gift makes the eyes smart.

¹⁹ Learn before you speak, take care of yourself before you fall ill.

²⁰ Examine yourself before judgement comes, and on the day of visitation you will be acquitted.

²¹ Humble yourself before you fall ill, repent as soon as the sin is committed.

²² Let nothing prevent your discharging a vow in good time, and do not wait till death to set matters right.

²³ Prepare yourself before making a vow, and do not be like someone who tempts the Lord.

²⁴ Bear in mind the retribution of the last days, the time of vengeance when God averts his face.

²⁵ In a time of plenty remember times of famine, think of poverty and want when you are rich.

²⁶ The time slips by between dawn and dusk, everything passes quickly for the Lord.

²⁷ The wise will be cautious in everything, in sinful times will take care not to offend.

²⁸ Every person of sense recognises wisdom, and will respect anyone who has found her.

²⁹ Those who understand sayings have toiled for their wisdom and have poured out accurate maxims.

³⁰ Do not be governed by your passions, restrain your desires.

³¹ If you allow yourself to satisfy your desires, this will make you the laughing-stock of your enemies.

³² Do not indulge in luxurious living, do not get involved in such society.

³³ Do not beggar yourself by banqueting on credit when there is nothing in your pocket.