Sirach 16

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 Desire not a brood of worthless children, nor rejoice in wicked offspring.	1 Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons.
2 Many though they be, exult not in them if they have not the fear of the LORD.	2 Though they multiply, rejoice not in them, except the fear of the Lord be with them.
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 Trust not thou in their life, neither respect their multitude: for one that is just is better than a thousand; and better it is to die without children, than to have them that are ungodly.
4 Through one wise man can a city be peopled; through a clan of rebels it becomes desolate.	4 For by one that hath understanding shall the city be replenished: but the kindred of the wicked shall speedily become desolate.
5 Many such things has my eye seen, even more than these has my ear heard.	5 Many such things have I seen with mine eyes, and mine ear hath heard greater things than these.
6 Against a sinful band fire is enkindled, upon a godless people wrath flames out.	6 In the congregation of the ungodly shall a fire be kindled; and in a rebellious nation wrath is set on fire.
7 He forgave not the leaders of old who rebelled long ago in their might;	7 He was not pacified toward the old giants, who fell away in the strength of their foolishness.
8 He spared not the neighbors of Lot whom he detested for their pride;	8 Neither spared he the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for their pride.
9 Nor did he spare the doomed people who were uprooted because of their sin;	9 He pitied not the people of perdition, who were taken away in their sins:
10 Nor the six hundred thousand foot soldiers who perished for the impiety of their hearts.	10 Nor the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.
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 And if there be one stiffnecked among the people, it is marvel if he escape unpunished: for mercy and wrath are with him; he is mighty to forgive, and to pour out displeasure.
12 Great as his mercy is his punishment; he judges men, each according to his deeds.	12 As his mercy is great, so is his correction also: he judgeth a man according to his works
13 A criminal does not escape with his plunder; a just man's hope God does not leave unfulfilled.	13 The sinner shall not escape with his spoils: and the patience of the godly shall not be frustrate.
14 Whoever does good has his reward, which each receives according to his deeds.	14 Make way for every work of mercy: for every man shall find according to his works.
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 The Lord hardened Pharaoh, that he should not know him, that his powerful works might be known to the world.
16 Behold, the heavens, the heaven of heavens, the earth and the abyss tremble at his visitation;	16 His mercy is manifest to every creature; and he hath separated his light from the darkness with an adamant.
17 The roots of the mountains, the earth's foundations, at his mere glance, quiver and quake.	17 Say not thou, I will hide myself from the Lord: shall any remember me from above? I shall not be remembered among so many people: for what is my soul among such an infinite number of creatures?
18 Of me, therefore, he will take no thought; with my ways who will concern himself?	18 Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth, and all that therein is, shall be moved when he shall visit.
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 foundations of the earth be shaken with trembling, when the Lord looketh upon them.
20 Who tells him of just deeds and what could I expect for doing my duty?"	20 No heart can think upon these things worthily: and who is able to conceive his ways?
21 Such are the thoughts of senseless men, which only the foolish knave will think.	21 It is a tempest which no man can see: for the most part of his works are hid.
22 Hearken to me, my son, take my advice, apply your mind to my words,	22 Who can declare the works of his justice? or who can endure them? for his covenant is afar off, and the trial of all things is in the end.
23 While I propose measured wisdom, and impart accurate knowledge.	23 He that wanteth understanding will think upon vain things: and a foolish man erring imagineth follies.
24 When at the first God created his works and, as he made them, assigned their tasks,	24 by son, hearken unto me, and learn knowledge, and mark my words with 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 I will shew forth doctrine in weight, and declare his knowledge exactly.
26 Not one should ever crowd its neighbor, nor should they ever disobey his word.	26 The works of the Lord are done in judgment from the beginning: and from the time he made them he disposed the parts thereof.
27 Then the LORD looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings.	27 He garnished his works for ever, and in his hand are the chief of them unto all generations: they neither labour, nor are weary, nor cease from their works.
28 Its surface he covered with all manner of life which must return into it again.	28 None of them hindereth another, and they shall never disobey his word.
	29 After this the Lord looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings.
	30 With all manner of living things hath he covered the face thereof; and they shall return into it again.