Sirach 18

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 The Eternal is the judge of all things without exception; the LORD alone is just.	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 Whom has he made equal to describing his works, and who can probe his mighty deeds?	2 Who is able to declare his works?
3 Who can measure his majestic power, or exhaust the tale of his mercies?	3 For who can examine his greatness?
4 One cannot lessen, nor increase, nor penetrate the wonders of the LORD.	4 And who will announce the power of his magnitude? Or who would be able to describe his mercy?
5 When a man ends he is only beginning, and when he stops he is still bewildered.	5 There is no diminishing, and no increasing, and there is no discovering, the greatness of God.
6 What is man, of what worth is he? the good, the evil in him, what are these?	6 When man has reached the end, then he will begin. And when he ceases, he will be in need.
7 The sum of a man's days is great if it reaches a hundred years:	7 What is man, and what is his grace? And what is his good, or what is his evil?
8 Like a drop of sea water, like a grain of sand, so are these few years among the days of 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 That is why the LORD is patient with men and showers upon them his mercy.	9 For this reason, God is patient with them, and he pours forth his mercy upon them.
10 He sees and understands that their death is grievous, and so he forgives them all the more.	10 He has seen that the presumption of their heart is evil, and he knows that their rebelliousness is wicked.
11 Man may be merciful to his fellow man, but the LORD'S mercy reaches all flesh,	11 Therefore, he has bestowed his forgiveness on them, and he has revealed to them the way of equity.
12 Reproving, admonishing, teaching, as a shepherd guides his flock;	12 The compassion of man is toward those closest to him. But the mercy of God is upon all flesh.
13 Merciful to those who accept his guidance, who are diligent in his precepts.	13 He is merciful, and he teaches and corrects, like a shepherd with his flock.
14 My son, to your charity add no reproach, nor spoil any gift by harsh words.	14 He takes pity on those who accept the doctrine of compassion, and he applies his judgments promptly.
15 Like dew that abates a burning wind, so does a word improve a gift.	15 Son, in your good works, you should not complain, and in giving anything, you should not cause grief with evil words.
16 Sometimes the word means more than the gift; both are offered by a kindly man.	16 Is heat not refreshed by the dew? So also is a good word better than a gift.
17 Only a fool upbraids before giving; a grudging gift wears out the expectant eyes.	17 Behold, is a word not greater than a gift? But both are with a justified man.
18 Be informed before speaking; before sickness prepare the cure.	18 The foolish place blame sharply. And a gift from the undisciplined causes the eyes to fail.
19 Before you are judged, seek merit for yourself, and at the time of visitation you will have a ransom.	19 Before you judge, put justice in order within yourself, and before you speak, learn.
20 Before you have fallen, humble yourself; when you have sinned, show repentance.	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 Delay not to forsake sins, neglect it not till you are in distress.	21 Before you become weak, humble yourself; and in a time of infirmity, show your way of life.
22 Let nothing prevent the prompt payment of your vows; wait not to fulfill them when you are dying.	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 making a vow have the means to fulfill it; be not one who tries the LORD.	23 Before you pray, prepare your soul. And do not choose to be like a man who tempts God.
24 Think of wrath and the day of death, the time of vengeance when he will hide 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 the time of hunger in the time of plenty, poverty and want in the day of wealth.	25 Remember poverty in a time of abundance, and remember the deficiency of poverty in a day of riches.
26 Between morning and evening the weather changes; before the LORD all things are fleeting.	26 From morning until evening, the time will be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.
27 A wise man is circumspect in all things; when sin is rife he keeps himself from wrongdoing.	27 A wise man will be cautious in all things, and during a time of many offenses, he will be attentive against inaction.
28 Any learned man should make wisdom known, and he who attains to her should declare her praise;	28 Anyone who is astute recognizes wisdom, and he will acknowledge anyone who finds it.
29 Those trained in her words must show their wisdom, dispensing sound proverbs like life-giving waters.	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 your lusts, but keep your desires in check.	30 You should not go after your desires; instead, turn away from your own will.
31 If you satisfy your lustful appetites they will make you the sport of your enemies.	31 If you offer your desires to your soul, this will cause you to become a joy to your enemies.
32 Have no joy in the pleasures of a moment which bring on poverty redoubled;	32 Take no delight in disorderly gatherings, whether large or small. For their commission of offenses is unceasing.
33 Become not a glutton and a winebibber with nothing in your purse.	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.