Sirach 16

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Desire not a brood of worthless children, nor rejoice in wicked offspring.	1 You should not rejoice in impious children, if they are successful; nor should you take delight in them, if the fear of God is not in them.
2 Many though they be, exult not in them if they have not the fear of the LORD.	2 You should not approve of their life, nor should you look with favor on their labors.
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 one child who fears God is better than one thousand impious 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 behind impious children.
5 Many such things has my eye seen, even more than these has my ear heard.	5 By means one person with understanding, a country will be inhabited. The tribe of the impious will become desolate.
6 Against a sinful band fire is enkindled, upon a godless people wrath flames out.	6 Many such things my eyes have seen, and greater things than these my ear has heard.
7 He forgave not the leaders of old who rebelled long ago in their might;	7 In the synagogue of sinners, a fire will blaze forth; and amid an unbelieving people, wrath will flare up.
8 He spared not the neighbors of Lot whom he detested for their pride;	8 The giants of antiquity did not obtain pardon for their sins; they were destroyed by trusting in their own abilities.
9 Nor did he spare the doomed people who were uprooted because of their sin;	9 And he did not spare the place of Lot’s sojourn, and he abhorred them because of the arrogance of their words.
10 Nor the six hundred thousand foot soldiers who perished for the impiety of their hearts.	10 He did not take pity on them, destroying an entire people, who even extolled themselves concerning their sins.
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 this was so with six hundred thousand men, who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts. And if even a single obstinate person had escaped unpunished, it would be a wonder.
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 powerful in forgiveness, and he pours forth wrath.
13 A criminal does not escape with his plunder; a just man's hope God does not leave unfulfilled.	13 As is his mercy, so also is his correction; he judges a man according to his works.
14 Whoever does good has his reward, which each receives according to his deeds.	14 The sinner, in his violations, will not escape; but the patience of the One who shows mercy will not be diminished.
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 Every mercy will make a place for each man, according to the merit of his works, and according to the understanding of his sojourn.
16 Behold, the heavens, the heaven of heavens, the earth and the abyss tremble at his visitation;	16 You should not say: “I am hidden from God,” or, “Who, from on high, will take note of me?”
17 The roots of the mountains, the earth's foundations, at his mere glance, quiver and quake.	17 or, “Among a great number of people, I will not be noticed. For what is my soul amid such an immense creation?”
18 Of me, therefore, he will take no thought; with my ways who will concern himself?	18 Behold: the heavens, and the heaven of the heavens, the abyss, and the entire earth, and the things that are within these, will be shaken by his gaze,
19 If I sin, no eye will see me; if all in secret I am disloyal, who is to know?	19 together with mountains and hills, and the foundations of the earth. When God casts his gaze upon them, they will be struck with trembling.
20 Who tells him of just deeds and what could I expect for doing my duty?"	20 And concerning all these things, the heart is without understanding; but every heart is understood by him.
21 Such are the thoughts of senseless men, which only the foolish knave will think.	21 And who will understand his ways, or the tempest, which no eye of man will see?
22 Hearken to me, my son, take my advice, apply your mind to my words,	22 For many of his works are concealed. But who will announce the works of his justice? Or who will endure them? For the testament is far from some persons, and the examination of each thing is in its end.
23 While I propose measured wisdom, and impart accurate knowledge.	23 Whoever diminishes the heart, thinks empty thoughts. For the imprudent and erring man thinks up foolishness.
24 When at the first God created his works and, as he made them, assigned their tasks,	24 Listen to me, son, and learn the discipline of understanding, and attend to my words in your 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 speak with equity about discipline, and I will strive to announce wisdom. So attend to my words in your heart, and I will speak with equity of spirit, about the virtues that God has set within his works from the beginning, and I will announce his knowledge in truth.
26 Not one should ever crowd its neighbor, nor should they ever disobey his word.	26 With the judgment of God, his works have been done from the beginning; and from their institution, he himself distinguished their parts and set their beginnings, in their kinds.
27 Then the LORD looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings.	27 He has beautified their works unto eternity. They have neither hungered, nor labored, 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 Neither will any one of them cause anguish to his neighbor, forever.
	29 You should not be incredulous at his word.
	30 Afterward, God looked with favor upon the earth, and he filled it with his goodness.
	31 The soul of every living thing brought word from before his face, and their return again is to him.