Ecclesiasticus / Sirach - The Old Testament

¹ One who keeps the Law multiplies offerings; one who follows the commandments offers communion sacrifices.

² Proof of gratitude is an offering of fine flour, almsgiving a sacrifice of praise.

³ To abandon wickedness is what pleases the Lord, to give up wrong-doing is an expiatory sacrifice.

⁴ Do not appear empty-handed in the Lord's presence; for all these things are due under the commandment.

⁵ The offering of the upright graces the altar, and its savour rises before the Most High.

⁶ The sacrifice of the upright is acceptable, its memorial will not be forgotten.

⁷ Honour the Lord with generosity, do not stint the first-fruits you bring.

⁸ Add a smiling face to all your gifts, and be cheerful as you dedicate your tithes.

⁹ Give to the Most High as he has given to you, as generously as your means can afford;

¹⁰ for the Lord is a good rewarder, he will reward you seven times over.

¹¹ Do not try to bribe him with presents, he will not accept them, do not put your faith in wrongly motivated sacrifices;

¹² for the Lord is a judge who is utterly impartial.

¹³ He never shows partiality to the detriment of the poor, he listens to the plea of the injured party.

¹⁴ He does not ignore the orphan's supplication, nor the widow's as she pours out her complaint.

¹⁵ Do the widow's tears not run down her cheeks, as she accuses the man who is the cause of them?

¹⁶ Whoever wholeheartedly serves God will be accepted, his petitions will carry to the clouds.

¹⁷ The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds: and until it does, he is not to be consoled,

¹⁸ nor will he desist until the Most High takes notice of him, acquits the upright and delivers judgement.

¹⁹ And the Lord will not be slow, nor will he be dilatory on their behalf,

²⁰ until he has crushed the loins of the merciless and exacted vengeance on the nations,

²¹ until he has eliminated the hordes of the arrogant and broken the sceptres of the wicked,

²² until he has repaid all people as their deeds deserve and human actions as their intentions merit,

²³ until he has judged the case of his people and made them rejoice in his mercy.

²⁴ Mercy is welcome in time of trouble, like rain clouds in time of drought.