Sirach 18

NEW JERUSALEM	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 He who lives for ever has created the sum of things.	1 He that liveth for ever created all things together. God only shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king for ever.
2 The Lord alone wil be found just.	2 Who is able to declare his works?
3	3 For who shall search out his glorious acts?
4 He has given no one the power to proclaim his works to the end, and who can fathom his magnificentdeeds?	4 And who shall shew forth the power of his majesty? or who shall be able to declare his mercy?
5 Who can assess his magnificent strength, and who can go further and tel al of his mercies?	5 Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to find out the glorious works of God:
6 Nothing can be added to them, nothing subtracted, it is impossible to fathom the marvels of the Lord.	6 When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth off, he shall be at a loss.
7 When someone finishes he is only beginning, and when he stops he is as puzzled as ever.	7 What is man, and what is his grace? and what is his good, or what is his evil?
8 What is a human being, what purpose does he serve? What is good and what is bad for him?	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.
9 The length of his life: a hundred years at most.	9 Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.
10 Like a drop of water from the sea, or a grain of sand, such are these few years compared with eternity.	10 He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is wicked, and hath known their end that it is evil.
11 This is why the Lord is patient with them and pours out his mercy on them.	11 Therefore bath he filled up his mercy in their favour, and hath shewn them the way of justice.
12 He sees and recognises how wretched their end is, and so he makes his forgiveness the greater.	12 The compassion of man is toward his neighbour: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh.
13 Human compassion extends to neighbours, but the Lord's compassion extends to everyone; rebuking,correcting and teaching, bringing them back as a shepherd brings his flock.	13 He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his hock.
14 He has compassion on those who accept correction, and who fervently search for his judgements.	14 He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and that maketh haste in his judgments.
15 My child, do not temper your favours with blame nor any of your gifts with words that hurt.	15 My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou givest any thing, add not grief by an evil word.
16 Does not dew relieve the heat? In the same way a word is worth more than a gift.	16 Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so also the good word is better than the gift.
17 Why surely, a word is better than a good present, but a generous person is ready with both.	17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a justified man.
18 A fool wil offer nothing but insult, and a grudging gift makes the eyes smart.	18 A fool will upbraid bitterly: and a gift of one ill taught consumeth the eyes.
19 Learn before you speak, take care of yourself before you fal ill.	19 Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou speak.
20 Examine yourself before judgement comes, and on the day of visitation you will be acquitted.	20 Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God.
21 Humble yourself before you fall il , repent as soon as the sin is committed.	21 Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness shew thy conversation.
22 Let nothing prevent your discharging a vow in good time, and do not wait till death to set matters right.	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.
23 Prepare yourself before making a vow, and do not be like someone who tempts the Lord.	23 Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God.
24 Bear in mind the retribution of the last days, the time of vengeance when God averts his face.	24 Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face.
25 In a time of plenty remember times of famine, think of poverty and want when you are rich.	25 Remember poverty is the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches.
26 The time slips by between dawn and dusk, everything passes quickly for the Lord.	26 From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.
27 The wise wil be cautious in everything, in sinful times wil take care not to offend.	27 A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the days of sine will beware of sloth.
28 Every person of sense recognises wisdom, and wil respect anyone who has found her.	28 Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise to him that findeth her.
29 Those who understand sayings have toiled for their wisdom and have poured out accurate maxims.	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.
30 Do not be governed by your passions, restrain your desires.	30 Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from thy own will.
31 If you al ow yourself to satisfy your desires, this wil make you the laughing-stock of your enemies.	31 If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies.
32 Do not indulge in luxurious living, do not get involved in such society.	32 Take no pleasure in riotous assemblies, be they ever so small: for their concertation is continual.
33 Do not beggar yourself by banqueting on credit when there is nothing in your pocket.	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.