Sirach 16

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Do not desire a multitude of useless children, nor rejoice in ungodly sons.	1 Desire not a brood of worthless children, nor rejoice in wicked offspring.
2 If they multiply , do not rejoice in them, unless the fear of the Lord is in them.	2 Many though they be, exult not in them if they have not the fear of the LORD.
3 Do not trust in their survival, and do not rely on their multitude; for one is better than a thousand, and to die childless is better than to have ungodly children.	3 Count not on their length of life, have no hope in their future. For one can be better than a thousand; rather die childless than have godless children!
4 For through one man of understanding a city will be filled with people, but through a tribe of lawless men it will be made desolate.	4 Through one wise man can a city be peopled; through a clan of rebels it becomes desolate.
5 Many such things my eye has seen, and my ear has heard things more striking than these.	5 Many such things has my eye seen, even more than these has my ear heard.
6 In an assembly of sinners a fire will be kindled, and in a disobedient nation wrath was kindled.	6 Against a sinful band fire is enkindled, upon a godless people wrath flames out.
7 He was not propitiated for the ancient giants who revolted in their might.	7 He forgave not the leaders of old who rebelled long ago in their might;
8 He did not spare the neighbors of Lot, whom he loathed on account of their insolence.	8 He spared not the neighbors of Lot whom he detested for their pride;
9 He showed no pity for a nation devoted to destruction, for those destroyed in their sins;	9 Nor did he spare the doomed people who were uprooted because of their sin;
10 nor for the six hundred thousand men on foot, who rebelliously assembled in their stubbornness.	10 Nor the six hundred thousand foot soldiers who perished for the impiety of their hearts.
11 Even if there is only one stiff-necked person, it will be a wonder if he remains unpunished. For mercy and wrath are with the Lord; he is mighty to forgive, and he pours out wrath.	11 And had there been but one stiffnecked man, it were a wonder had he gone unpunished. For mercy and anger alike are with him who remits and forgives, though on the wicked alights his wrath.
12 As great as his mercy, so great is also his reproof; he judges a man according to his deeds.	12 Great as his mercy is his punishment; he judges men, each according to his deeds.
13 The sinner will not escape with his plunder, and the patience of the godly will not be frustrated.	13 A criminal does not escape with his plunder; a just man's hope God does not leave unfulfilled.
14 He will make room for every act of mercy; every one will receive in accordance with his deeds.	14 Whoever does good has his reward, which each receives according to his deeds.
15 .	15 Say not: "I am hidden from God; in heaven who remembers me? Among so many people I cannot be known; what am I in the world of spirits?
16 .	16 Behold, the heavens, the heaven of heavens, the earth and the abyss tremble at his visitation;
17 Do not say, "I shall be hidden from the Lord, and who from on high will remember me? Among so many people I shall not be known, for what is my soul in the boundless creation?	17 The roots of the mountains, the earth's foundations, at his mere glance, quiver and quake.
18 Behold, heaven and the highest heaven, the abyss and the earth, will tremble at his visitation.	18 Of me, therefore, he will take no thought; with my ways who will concern himself?
19 The mountains also and the foundations of the earth shake with trembling when he looks upon them.	19 If I sin, no eye will see me; if all in secret I am disloyal, who is to know?
20 And no mind will reflect on this. Who will ponder his ways?	20 Who tells him of just deeds and what could I expect for doing my duty?"
21 Like a tempest which no man can see, so most of his works are concealed.	21 Such are the thoughts of senseless men, which only the foolish knave will think.
22 Who will announce his acts of justice? Or who will await them? For the covenant is far off."	22 Hearken to me, my son, take my advice, apply your mind to my words,
23 This is what one devoid of understanding thinks; a senseless and misguided man thinks foolishly.	23 While I propose measured wisdom, and impart accurate knowledge.
24 Listen to me, my son, and acquire knowledge, and pay close attention to my words.	24 When at the first God created his works and, as he made them, assigned their tasks,
25 I will impart instruction by weight, and declare knowledge accurately.	25 He ordered for all time what they were to do and their domains from generation to generation. They were not to hunger, nor grow weary, nor ever cease from their tasks.
26 The works of the Lord have existed from the beginning by his creation, and when he made them, he determined their divisions.	26 Not one should ever crowd its neighbor, nor should they ever disobey his word.
27 He arranged his works in an eternal order, and their dominion for all generations; they neither hunger nor grow weary, and they do not cease from their labors.	27 Then the LORD looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings.
28 They do not crowd one another aside, and they will never disobey his word.	28 Its surface he covered with all manner of life which must return into it again.
29 After this the Lord looked upon the earth, and filled it with his good things;
30 with all kinds of living beings he covered its surface, and to it they return.