Sirach 18

¹ The Eternal is the judge of all things without exception; the LORD alone is just.

² Whom has he made equal to describing his works, and who can probe his mighty deeds?

³ Who can measure his majestic power, or exhaust the tale of his mercies?

⁴ One cannot lessen, nor increase, nor penetrate the wonders of the LORD.

⁵ When a man ends he is only beginning, and when he stops he is still bewildered.

⁶ What is man, of what worth is he? the good, the evil in him, what are these?

⁷ The sum of a man's days is great if it reaches a hundred years:

⁸ Like a drop of sea water, like a grain of sand, so are these few years among the days of eternity.

⁹ That is why the LORD is patient with men and showers upon them his mercy.

¹⁰ He sees and understands that their death is grievous, and so he forgives them all the more.

¹¹ Man may be merciful to his fellow man, but the LORD'S mercy reaches all flesh,

¹² Reproving, admonishing, teaching, as a shepherd guides his flock;

¹³ Merciful to those who accept his guidance, who are diligent in his precepts.

¹⁴ My son, to your charity add no reproach, nor spoil any gift by harsh words.

¹⁵ Like dew that abates a burning wind, so does a word improve a gift.

¹⁶ Sometimes the word means more than the gift; both are offered by a kindly man.

¹⁷ Only a fool upbraids before giving; a grudging gift wears out the expectant eyes.

¹⁸ Be informed before speaking; before sickness prepare the cure.

¹⁹ Before you are judged, seek merit for yourself, and at the time of visitation you will have a ransom.

²⁰ Before you have fallen, humble yourself; when you have sinned, show repentance.

²¹ Delay not to forsake sins, neglect it not till you are in distress.

²² Let nothing prevent the prompt payment of your vows; wait not to fulfill them when you are dying.

²³ Before making a vow have the means to fulfill it; be not one who tries the LORD.

²⁴ Think of wrath and the day of death, the time of vengeance when he will hide his face.

²⁵ Remember the time of hunger in the time of plenty, poverty and want in the day of wealth.

²⁶ Between morning and evening the weather changes; before the LORD all things are fleeting.

²⁷ A wise man is circumspect in all things; when sin is rife he keeps himself from wrongdoing.

²⁸ Any learned man should make wisdom known, and he who attains to her should declare her praise;

²⁹ Those trained in her words must show their wisdom, dispensing sound proverbs like life-giving waters.

³⁰ Go not after your lusts, but keep your desires in check.

³¹ If you satisfy your lustful appetites they will make you the sport of your enemies.

³² Have no joy in the pleasures of a moment which bring on poverty redoubled;

³³ Become not a glutton and a winebibber with nothing in your purse.