Sirach 18

DOUAI-RHEIMS	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 He that liveth for ever created all things together. God only shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king for ever.	1 The One who dwells in eternity created all things together. God alone will be justified, and he remains an invincible King for eternity.
2 Who is able to declare his works?	2 Who is able to declare his works?
3 For who shall search out his glorious acts?	3 For who can examine his greatness?
4 And who shall shew forth the power of his majesty? or who shall be able to declare his mercy?	4 And who will announce the power of his magnitude? Or who would be able to describe his mercy?
5 Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to find out the glorious works of God:	5 There is no diminishing, and no increasing, and there is no discovering, the greatness of God.
6 When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth off, he shall be at a loss.	6 When man has reached the end, then he will begin. And when he ceases, he will be in need.
7 What is man, and what is his grace? and what is his good, or what is his evil?	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.	8 The number of the days of men are as many as one hundred years. Like a drop of water in the ocean, so they are considered to be. And like a grain of sand on the shore, so do these few years compare to the days of all time.
9 Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.	9 For this reason, God is patient with them, and he pours 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.	10 He has seen that the presumption of their heart is evil, and he knows that their rebelliousness is wicked.
11 Therefore bath he filled up his mercy in their favour, and hath shewn them the way of justice.	11 Therefore, he has bestowed his forgiveness on them, and he has revealed to them the way of equity.
12 The compassion of man is toward his neighbour: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh.	12 The compassion of man is toward those closest to him. But the mercy of God is upon all flesh.
13 He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his hock.	13 He is merciful, and he teaches and corrects, like a shepherd with his flock.
14 He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and that maketh haste in his judgments.	14 He takes pity on those who accept the doctrine of compassion, and he applies his judgments promptly.
15 My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou givest any thing, add not grief by an evil word.	15 Son, in your good works, you should not complain, and in giving anything, you should not cause grief with evil words.
16 Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so also the good word is better than the gift.	16 Is heat not refreshed by the dew? So also is a good word better than a gift.
17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a justified man.	17 Behold, is a word not greater 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.	18 The foolish place blame sharply. And a gift from the undisciplined causes the eyes to fail.
19 Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou speak.	19 Before you judge, put justice in order within yourself, and before you speak, learn.
20 Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God.	20 Before you become sick, obtain medicine. And before you judge, examine yourself. And then you will find forgiveness in the sight of God.
21 Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness shew thy conversation.	21 Before you become weak, humble yourself; and in a time of infirmity, show your way of life.
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.	22 Let nothing impede you from praying always. And then you will not dread to be justified, even unto death. For the reward of God dwells in eternity.
23 Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God.	23 Before you pray, prepare your soul. And do not choose to be like a man who tempts God.
24 Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face.	24 Remember the wrath that will be on the day of consummation, and remember the time of retribution, when he will turn away his face.
25 Remember poverty is the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches.	25 Remember poverty in a time of abundance, and remember the deficiency of poverty in a 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.	26 From morning until evening, the time will 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.	27 A wise man will be cautious in all things, and during a time of many offenses, he will be attentive against inaction.
28 Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise to him that findeth her.	28 Anyone who is astute recognizes wisdom, and he will acknowledge anyone who finds it.
29 They that were of good understanding in words, have also done wisely themselves: and have understood truth and justice, and have poured forth proverbs and judgments.	29 Those who show understanding with words also have acted wisely themselves, and they have understood truth and justice, and they have fulfilled proverbs and judgments.
30 Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from thy own will.	30 You should not go after your desires; instead, turn away from your own will.
31 If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies.	31 If you offer your desires to your soul, this will cause you to become a joy to your enemies.
32 Take no pleasure in riotous assemblies, be they ever so small: for their concertation is continual.	32 Take no delight in disorderly gatherings, whether large or small. For their commission of offenses is unceasing.
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.	33 You should not be reduced by the contention of borrowing, even if there is nothing in your purse. For you would be contending against your own life.