Sirach 16

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Desire not a brood of worthless children, nor rejoice in wicked offspring.	1 Rejoice not in ungodly children, if they be multiplied: neither be delighted in them, if the fear of God be not with them.
2 Many though they be, exult not in them if they have not the fear of the LORD.	2 Trust not to their life, and respect not their labours.
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!	3 For better is one that feareth God, than a thousand ungodly children.
4 Through one wise man can a city be peopled; through a clan of rebels it becomes desolate.	4 And it is better to die without children, than to leave ungodly children.
5 Many such things has my eye seen, even more than these has my ear heard.	5 By one that is wise a country shall be inhabited, the tribe of the ungodly shall become desolate.
6 Against a sinful band fire is enkindled, upon a godless people wrath flames out.	6 Many such things hath my eyes seen, and greater things than these my ear hath heard.
7 He forgave not the leaders of old who rebelled long ago in their might;	7 In the congregation of sinners a fire shall be kindled, and in an unbelieving nation wrath shall dame out.
8 He spared not the neighbors of Lot whom he detested for their pride;	8 The ancient giants did not obtain pardon for their sine, who were destroyed trusting to their own strength:
9 Nor did he spare the doomed people who were uprooted because of their sin;	9 And he spared not the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for the pride of their word.
10 Nor the six hundred thousand foot soldiers who perished for the impiety of their hearts.	10 He had not pity on them, destroying the whole nation that extolled themselves in their sine.
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.	11 So did he with the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their heart: and if one had been stiffnecked, it is a wonder if he had escaped unpunished:
12 Great as his mercy is his punishment; he judges men, each according to his deeds.	12 For mercy and wrath are with him. He is mighty to forgive, and to pour out indignation:
13 A criminal does not escape with his plunder; a just man's hope God does not leave unfulfilled.	13 According as his mercy is, so his correction judgeth a man according to his works.
14 Whoever does good has his reward, which each receives according to his deeds.	14 The sinner shall not escape in his rapines, and the patience of him that sheweth mercy shall not be put off.
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?	15 All mercy shall make a place for every man according to the merit of his works, and according to the wisdom of his sojournment.
16 Behold, the heavens, the heaven of heavens, the earth and the abyss tremble at his visitation;	16 Say not: I shall be hidden from God. and who shall remember me from on high?
17 The roots of the mountains, the earth's foundations, at his mere glance, quiver and quake.	17 In such a multitude I shall not be known: for what is my soul in such an immense creation?
18 Of me, therefore, he will take no thought; with my ways who will concern himself?	18 Behold the heaven, and the heavens of heavens, the deep, and all the earth, and the things that are in them, shall be moved in his sight,
19 If I sin, no eye will see me; if all in secret I am disloyal, who is to know?	19 The mountains also, and the hills, end the foundations of the earth: when God shall look upon them, they shall be shaken with trembling.
20 Who tells him of just deeds and what could I expect for doing my duty?"	20 And in all these things the heart is senseless: and every heart is understood by him:
21 Such are the thoughts of senseless men, which only the foolish knave will think.	21 And his ways who shall understand, and the storm, which no eye of man see?
22 Hearken to me, my son, take my advice, apply your mind to my words,	22 For many of his works are hidden: hut the works of his justice who shall declare? or who shall endure? for the testament is far from some, and the examination of all is in the end.
23 While I propose measured wisdom, and impart accurate knowledge.	23 He that wanteth understanding thinketh vain things: and the foolish, and erring man, thinketh foolish things.
24 When at the first God created his works and, as he made them, assigned their tasks,	24 Hearken to me, my son, and learn the discipline of understanding, and attend to my words in thy heart.
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.	25 And I will shew forth good doctrine in equity, and will seek to declare wisdom: and attend to my words in thy heart, whilst with equity of spirit I tell thee the virtues that God hath put upon his works from the beginning, and I shew forth in truth his knowledge.
26 Not one should ever crowd its neighbor, nor should they ever disobey his word.	26 The works of God are done in judgment from the beginning, and from the making of them he distinguished their parts, and their beginnings in their generations.
27 Then the LORD looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings.	27 He beautified their works for ever, they have neither hungered, nor laboured, and they have not ceased from their works.
28 Its surface he covered with all manner of life which must return into it again.	28 Nor shall any of them straiten his neighbour at any time.
	29 Be not thou incredulous to his word.
	30 After this God looked upon the earth, and filled it with his goods.
	31 The soul of every living thing hath shewn forth before the face thereof, and into it they return again.