Sirach 18

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 The Eternal is the judge of all things without exception; the LORD alone is just.	1 He that liveth for ever created all things together. God only shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king for ever.
2 Whom has he made equal to describing his works, and who can probe his mighty deeds?	2 Who is able to declare his works?
3 Who can measure his majestic power, or exhaust the tale of his mercies?	3 For who shall search out his glorious acts?
4 One cannot lessen, nor increase, nor penetrate the wonders of the LORD.	4 And who shall shew forth the power of his majesty? or who shall be able to declare his mercy?
5 When a man ends he is only beginning, and when he stops he is still bewildered.	5 Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to find out the glorious works of God:
6 What is man, of what worth is he? the good, the evil in him, what are these?	6 When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth off, he shall be at a loss.
7 The sum of a man's days is great if it reaches a hundred years:	7 What is man, and what is his grace? and what is his good, or what is his evil?
8 Like a drop of sea water, like a grain of sand, so are these few years among the days of eternity.	8 The number of the days of men at the most are a hundred years: as a drop of water of the sea are they esteemed: and as a pebble of the sand, so are a few years compared to eternity.
9 That is why the LORD is patient with men and showers upon them his mercy.	9 Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.
10 He sees and understands that their death is grievous, and so he forgives them all the more.	10 He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is wicked, and hath known their end that it is evil.
11 Man may be merciful to his fellow man, but the LORD'S mercy reaches all flesh,	11 Therefore bath he filled up his mercy in their favour, and hath shewn them the way of justice.
12 Reproving, admonishing, teaching, as a shepherd guides his flock;	12 The compassion of man is toward his neighbour: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh.
13 Merciful to those who accept his guidance, who are diligent in his precepts.	13 He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his hock.
14 My son, to your charity add no reproach, nor spoil any gift by harsh words.	14 He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and that maketh haste in his judgments.
15 Like dew that abates a burning wind, so does a word improve a gift.	15 My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou givest any thing, add not grief by an evil word.
16 Sometimes the word means more than the gift; both are offered by a kindly man.	16 Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so also the good word is better than the gift.
17 Only a fool upbraids before giving; a grudging gift wears out the expectant eyes.	17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a justified man.
18 Be informed before speaking; before sickness prepare the cure.	18 A fool will upbraid bitterly: and a gift of one ill taught consumeth the eyes.
19 Before you are judged, seek merit for yourself, and at the time of visitation you will have a ransom.	19 Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou speak.
20 Before you have fallen, humble yourself; when you have sinned, show repentance.	20 Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God.
21 Delay not to forsake sins, neglect it not till you are in distress.	21 Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness shew thy conversation.
22 Let nothing prevent the prompt payment of your vows; wait not to fulfill them when you are dying.	22 Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth for ever.
23 Before making a vow have the means to fulfill it; be not one who tries the LORD.	23 Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God.
24 Think of wrath and the day of death, the time of vengeance when he will hide his face.	24 Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face.
25 Remember the time of hunger in the time of plenty, poverty and want in the day of wealth.	25 Remember poverty is the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches.
26 Between morning and evening the weather changes; before the LORD all things are fleeting.	26 From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.
27 A wise man is circumspect in all things; when sin is rife he keeps himself from wrongdoing.	27 A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the days of sine will beware of sloth.
28 Any learned man should make wisdom known, and he who attains to her should declare her praise;	28 Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise to him that findeth her.
29 Those trained in her words must show their wisdom, dispensing sound proverbs like life-giving waters.	29 They that were of good understanding in words, have also done wisely themselves: and have understood truth and justice, and have poured forth proverbs and judgments.
30 Go not after your lusts, but keep your desires in check.	30 Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from thy own will.
31 If you satisfy your lustful appetites they will make you the sport of your enemies.	31 If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies.
32 Have no joy in the pleasures of a moment which bring on poverty redoubled;	32 Take no pleasure in riotous assemblies, be they ever so small: for their concertation is continual.
33 Become not a glutton and a winebibber with nothing in your purse.	33 Make not thyself poor by borrowing to contribute to feasts when thou hast nothing in thy purse : for thou shalt be an enemy to thy own life.