Sirach 35

DOUAI-RHEIMS	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
1 He that keepeth the law, multiplieth offerings.	1 He who keeps the law makes many offerings; he who heeds the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
2 It is a wholesome sacrifice to take heed to the commandments, and to depart from all iniquity. _J	2 He who returns a kindness offers fine flour, and he who gives alms sacrifices a thank offering.
3 And to depart from injustice, is to offer a propitiatory sacrifice for injustices, and a begging of pardon for sins.	3 To keep from wickedness is pleasing to the Lord, and to forsake unrighteousness is atonement.
4 He shall return thanks, that offereth fine flour: and he that doth mercy, offereth sacrifice.	4 Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed,
5 To depart from iniquity is that which pleaseth the Lord, and to depart from injustice, is an entreaty for sins.	5 for all these things are to be done because of the commandment.
6 Thou shalt not appear empty in the sight of the Lord.	6 The offering of a righteous man anoints the altar, and its pleasing odor rises before the Most High.
7 For all these things are to be done because of the commandment of God.	7 The sacrifice of a righteous man is acceptable, and the memory of it will not be forgotten.
8 The oblation of the just maketh the altar fat, and is an odour of sweetness in the sight of the most High.	8 Glorify the Lord generously, and do not stint the first fruits of your hands.
9 The sacrifice of the just is acceptable, and the Lord will not forget the memorial thereof.	9 With every gift show a cheerful face, and dedicate your tithe with gladness.
10 Give glory to God with a good heart: and diminish not the firstfruits of thy hands.	10 Give to the Most High as he has given, and as generously as your hand has found.
11 In every gift shew a cheerful countenance, and sanctify thy tithes with joy.	11 For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold.
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:	12 Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it; and do not trust to an unrighteous sacrifice; for the Lord is the judge, and with him is no partiality.
13 For the Lord maketh recompense, and will give thee seven times as much.	13 He will not show partiality in the case of a poor man; and he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged.
14 Do not offer wicked gifts, for such he will not receive.	14 He will not ignore the supplication of the fatherless, nor the widow when she pours out her story.
15 And look not upon an unjust sacrifice, for the Lord is judge, and there is not with him respect of person.	15 Do not the tears of the widow run down her cheek as she cries out against him who has caused them to fall?
16 The Lord will not accept any person against a poor man, and he will hear the prayer of him that is wronged.	16 He whose service is pleasing to the Lord will be accepted, and his prayer will reach to the clouds.
17 He will not despise the prayers of the fatherless; nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint.	17 The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds, and he will not be consoled until it reaches the Lord; he will not desist until the Most High visits him, and does justice for the righteous, and executes judgment.
18 Do not the widow's tears run down the cheek, and her cry against him that causeth them to fall?	18 And the Lord will not delay, neither will he be patient with them, till he crushes the loins of the unmerciful and repays vengeance on the nations; till he takes away the multitude of the insolent, and breaks the scepters of the unrighteous;
19 For from the cheek they go up even to heaven, and the Lord that heareth will not be delighted with them.	19 till he repays the man according to his deeds, and the works of men according to their devices; till he judges the case of his people and makes them rejoice in his mercy.
20 He that adoreth God with joy, shall be accepted, and his prayer shall approach even to the clouds.	20 Mercy is as welcome when he afflicts them as clouds of rain in the time of drought.
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.