Sirach 18

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 He who lives for ever has created the sum of things.	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 The Lord alone wil be found just.	2 Who is able to declare his works?
3	3 For who can examine his greatness?
4 He has given no one the power to proclaim his works to the end, and who can fathom his magnificentdeeds?	4 And who will announce the power of his magnitude? Or who would be able to describe his mercy?
5 Who can assess his magnificent strength, and who can go further and tel al of his mercies?	5 There is no diminishing, and no increasing, and there is no discovering, the greatness of God.
6 Nothing can be added to them, nothing subtracted, it is impossible to fathom the marvels of the Lord.	6 When man has reached the end, then he will begin. And when he ceases, he will be in need.
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 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 The length of his life: a hundred years at most.	9 For this reason, God is patient with them, and he pours 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 has seen that the presumption of their heart is evil, and he knows that their rebelliousness is wicked.
11 This is why the Lord is patient with them and pours out his mercy on them.	11 Therefore, he has bestowed his forgiveness on them, and he has revealed to them the way of equity.
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 those closest to him. 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 is merciful, and he teaches and corrects, like a shepherd with his flock.
14 He has compassion on those who accept correction, and who fervently search for his judgements.	14 He takes pity on those who accept the doctrine of compassion, and he applies his judgments promptly.
15 My child, do not temper your favours with blame nor any of your gifts with words that hurt.	15 Son, in your good works, you should not complain, and in giving anything, you should not cause grief with evil words.
16 Does not dew relieve the heat? In the same way a word is worth more than a gift.	16 Is heat not refreshed by the dew? So also is a good 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 Behold, is a word not greater 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 The foolish place blame sharply. And a gift from the undisciplined causes the eyes to fail.
19 Learn before you speak, take care of yourself before you fal ill.	19 Before you judge, put justice in order within yourself, and before you speak, learn.
20 Examine yourself before judgement comes, and on the day of visitation you will be acquitted.	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 Humble yourself before you fall il , repent as soon as the sin is committed.	21 Before you become weak, humble yourself; and in a time of infirmity, show your way of life.
22 Let nothing prevent your discharging a vow in good time, and do not wait till death to set matters right.	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 Prepare yourself before making a vow, and do not be like someone who tempts the Lord.	23 Before you pray, prepare your soul. And do not choose to be like a man who tempts 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 will be on the day of consummation, and remember the time of retribution, when he will 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 in a time of abundance, and remember the deficiency of poverty in a day of riches.
26 The time slips by between dawn and dusk, everything passes quickly for the Lord.	26 From morning until evening, the time will 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 be cautious in all things, and during a time of many offenses, he will be attentive against inaction.
28 Every person of sense recognises wisdom, and wil respect anyone who has found her.	28 Anyone who is astute recognizes wisdom, and he will acknowledge anyone who finds it.
29 Those who understand sayings have toiled for their wisdom and have poured out accurate maxims.	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 Do not be governed by your passions, restrain your desires.	30 You should not go after your desires; instead, turn away from your own will.
31 If you al ow yourself to satisfy your desires, this wil make you the laughing-stock of your enemies.	31 If you offer your desires to your soul, this will cause you to become a joy to your enemies.
32 Do not indulge in luxurious living, do not get involved in such society.	32 Take no delight in disorderly gatherings, whether large or small. For their commission of offenses is unceasing.
33 Do not beggar yourself by banqueting on credit when there is nothing in your pocket.	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.