Sirach 18

NEW JERUSALEM	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 He who lives for ever has created the sum of things.	1 He that liveth for ever Hath created all things in general.
2 The Lord alone wil be found just.	2 The Lord only is righteous, and there is none other but he,
3	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 He has given no one the power to proclaim his works to the end, and who can fathom his magnificentdeeds?	4 To whom hath he given power to declare his works? and who shall find out his noble acts?
5 Who can assess his magnificent strength, and who can go further and tel al of his mercies?	5 Who shall number the strength of his majesty? and who shall also tell out his mercies?
6 Nothing can be added to them, nothing subtracted, it is impossible to fathom the marvels of the Lord.	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 When someone finishes he is only beginning, and when he stops he is as puzzled as ever.	7 When a man hath done, then he beginneth; and when he leaveth off, then he shall be doubtful.
8 What is a human being, what purpose does he serve? What is good and what is bad for him?	8 What is man, and whereto serveth he? what is his good, and what is his evil?
9 The length of his life: a hundred years at most.	9 The number of a man's days at the most are an hundred years.
10 Like a drop of water from the sea, or a grain of sand, such are these few years compared with eternity.	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 This is why the Lord is patient with them and pours out his mercy on them.	11 Therefore is God patient with them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.
12 He sees and recognises how wretched their end is, and so he makes his forgiveness the greater.	12 He saw and perceived their end to be evil; therefore he multiplied his compassion.
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 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 He has compassion on those who accept correction, and who fervently search for his judgements.	14 He hath mercy on them that receive discipline, and that diligently seek after his judgments.
15 My child, do not temper your favours with blame nor any of your gifts with words that hurt.	15 My son, blemish not thy good deeds, neither use uncomfortable words when thou givest any thing.
16 Does not dew relieve the heat? In the same way a word is worth more than a gift.	16 Shall not the dew asswage the heat? so is a word better than a 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 gracious man.
18 A fool wil offer nothing but insult, and a grudging gift makes the eyes smart.	18 A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious consumeth the eyes.
19 Learn before you speak, take care of yourself before you fal ill.	19 Learn before thou speak, and use physick or ever thou be sick.
20 Examine yourself before judgement comes, and on the day of visitation you will be acquitted.	20 Before judgment examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy.
21 Humble yourself before you fall il , repent as soon as the sin is committed.	21 Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins shew repentance.
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 to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified.
23 Prepare yourself before making a vow, and do not be like someone who tempts the Lord.	23 Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the Lord.
24 Bear in mind the retribution of the last days, the time of vengeance when God averts 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 In a time of plenty remember times of famine, think of poverty and want when you are rich.	25 When thou hast enough, remember the time of hunger: and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and need.
26 The time slips by between dawn and dusk, everything passes quickly for the Lord.	26 From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before the Lord.
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 day of sinning he will beware of offence: but a fool will not observe time.
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 unto him that found her.
29 Those who understand sayings have toiled for their wisdom and have poured out accurate maxims.	29 They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise themselves, and poured forth exquisite parables.
30 Do not be governed by your passions, restrain your desires.	30 Go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites.
31 If you al ow yourself to satisfy your desires, this wil make you the laughing-stock 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 Do not indulge in luxurious living, do not get involved in such society.	32 Take not pleasure in much good cheer, neither be tied to the expence thereof.
33 Do not beggar yourself by banqueting on credit when there is nothing in your pocket.	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.