Sirach 18

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 The Eternal is the judge of all things without exception; the LORD alone is just.	1 He that liveth for ever Hath created all things in general.
2 Whom has he made equal to describing his works, and who can probe his mighty deeds?	2 The Lord only is righteous, and there is none other but he,
3 Who can measure his majestic power, or exhaust the tale of his mercies?	3 Who governeth the world with the palm of his hand, and all things obey his will: for he is the King of all, by his power dividing holy things among them from profane.
4 One cannot lessen, nor increase, nor penetrate the wonders of the LORD.	4 To whom hath he given power to declare his works? and who shall find out his noble acts?
5 When a man ends he is only beginning, and when he stops he is still bewildered.	5 Who shall number the strength of his majesty? and who shall also tell out his mercies?
6 What is man, of what worth is he? the good, the evil in him, what are these?	6 As for the wondrous works of the Lord, there may nothing be taken from them, neither may any thing be put unto them, neither can the ground of them be found out.
7 The sum of a man's days is great if it reaches a hundred years:	7 When a man hath done, then he beginneth; and when he leaveth off, then he shall be doubtful.
8 Like a drop of sea water, like a grain of sand, so are these few years among the days of eternity.	8 What is man, and whereto serveth he? what is his good, and what is his evil?
9 That is why the LORD is patient with men and showers upon them his mercy.	9 The number of a man's days at the most are an hundred years.
10 He sees and understands that their death is grievous, and so he forgives them all the more.	10 As a drop of water unto the sea, and a gravelstone in comparison of the sand; so are a thousand years to the days of eternity.
11 Man may be merciful to his fellow man, but the LORD'S mercy reaches all flesh,	11 Therefore is God patient with them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.
12 Reproving, admonishing, teaching, as a shepherd guides his flock;	12 He saw and perceived their end to be evil; therefore he multiplied his compassion.
13 Merciful to those who accept his guidance, who are diligent in his precepts.	13 The mercy of man is toward his neighbour; but the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh: he reproveth, and nurtureth, and teacheth and bringeth again, as a shepherd his flock.
14 My son, to your charity add no reproach, nor spoil any gift by harsh words.	14 He hath mercy on them that receive discipline, and that diligently seek after his judgments.
15 Like dew that abates a burning wind, so does a word improve a gift.	15 My son, blemish not thy good deeds, neither use uncomfortable words when thou givest any thing.
16 Sometimes the word means more than the gift; both are offered by a kindly man.	16 Shall not the dew asswage the heat? so is a word better than a gift.
17 Only a fool upbraids before giving; a grudging gift wears out the expectant eyes.	17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a gracious man.
18 Be informed before speaking; before sickness prepare the cure.	18 A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious consumeth the eyes.
19 Before you are judged, seek merit for yourself, and at the time of visitation you will have a ransom.	19 Learn before thou speak, and use physick or ever thou be sick.
20 Before you have fallen, humble yourself; when you have sinned, show repentance.	20 Before judgment examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy.
21 Delay not to forsake sins, neglect it not till you are in distress.	21 Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins shew repentance.
22 Let nothing prevent the prompt payment of your vows; wait not to fulfill them when you are dying.	22 Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified.
23 Before making a vow have the means to fulfill it; be not one who tries the LORD.	23 Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the Lord.
24 Think of wrath and the day of death, the time of vengeance when he will hide his face.	24 Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when he shall turn away his face.
25 Remember the time of hunger in the time of plenty, poverty and want in the day of wealth.	25 When thou hast enough, remember the time of hunger: and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and need.
26 Between morning and evening the weather changes; before the LORD all things are fleeting.	26 From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before the Lord.
27 A wise man is circumspect in all things; when sin is rife he keeps himself from wrongdoing.	27 A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the day of sinning he will beware of offence: but a fool will not observe time.
28 Any learned man should make wisdom known, and he who attains to her should declare her praise;	28 Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise unto him that found her.
29 Those trained in her words must show their wisdom, dispensing sound proverbs like life-giving waters.	29 They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise themselves, and poured forth exquisite parables.
30 Go not after your lusts, but keep your desires in check.	30 Go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites.
31 If you satisfy your lustful appetites they will make you the sport of your enemies.	31 If thou givest thy soul the desires that please her, she will make thee a laughingstock to thine enemies that malign thee.
32 Have no joy in the pleasures of a moment which bring on poverty redoubled;	32 Take not pleasure in much good cheer, neither be tied to the expence thereof.
33 Become not a glutton and a winebibber with nothing in your purse.	33 Be not made a beggar by banqueting upon borrowing, when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt lie in wait for thine own life, and be talked on.