Sirach 18

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 He who lives for ever has created the sum of things.	1 The Eternal is the judge of all things without exception; the LORD alone is just.
2 The Lord alone wil be found just.	2 Whom has he made equal to describing his works, and who can probe his mighty deeds?
3	3 Who can measure his majestic power, or exhaust the tale of his mercies?
4 He has given no one the power to proclaim his works to the end, and who can fathom his magnificentdeeds?	4 One cannot lessen, nor increase, nor penetrate the wonders of the LORD.
5 Who can assess his magnificent strength, and who can go further and tel al of his mercies?	5 When a man ends he is only beginning, and when he stops he is still bewildered.
6 Nothing can be added to them, nothing subtracted, it is impossible to fathom the marvels of the Lord.	6 What is man, of what worth is he? the good, the evil in him, what are these?
7 When someone finishes he is only beginning, and when he stops he is as puzzled as ever.	7 The sum of a man's days is great if it reaches a hundred years:
8 What is a human being, what purpose does he serve? What is good and what is bad for him?	8 Like a drop of sea water, like a grain of sand, so are these few years among the days of eternity.
9 The length of his life: a hundred years at most.	9 That is why the LORD is patient with men and showers upon them his mercy.
10 Like a drop of water from the sea, or a grain of sand, such are these few years compared with eternity.	10 He sees and understands that their death is grievous, and so he forgives them all the more.
11 This is why the Lord is patient with them and pours out his mercy on them.	11 Man may be merciful to his fellow man, but the LORD'S mercy reaches all flesh,
12 He sees and recognises how wretched their end is, and so he makes his forgiveness the greater.	12 Reproving, admonishing, teaching, as a shepherd guides his flock;
13 Human compassion extends to neighbours, but the Lord's compassion extends to everyone; rebuking,correcting and teaching, bringing them back as a shepherd brings his flock.	13 Merciful to those who accept his guidance, who are diligent in his precepts.
14 He has compassion on those who accept correction, and who fervently search for his judgements.	14 My son, to your charity add no reproach, nor spoil any gift by harsh words.
15 My child, do not temper your favours with blame nor any of your gifts with words that hurt.	15 Like dew that abates a burning wind, so does a word improve a gift.
16 Does not dew relieve the heat? In the same way a word is worth more than a gift.	16 Sometimes the word means more than the gift; both are offered by a kindly man.
17 Why surely, a word is better than a good present, but a generous person is ready with both.	17 Only a fool upbraids before giving; a grudging gift wears out the expectant eyes.
18 A fool wil offer nothing but insult, and a grudging gift makes the eyes smart.	18 Be informed before speaking; before sickness prepare the cure.
19 Learn before you speak, take care of yourself before you fal ill.	19 Before you are judged, seek merit for yourself, and at the time of visitation you will have a ransom.
20 Examine yourself before judgement comes, and on the day of visitation you will be acquitted.	20 Before you have fallen, humble yourself; when you have sinned, show repentance.
21 Humble yourself before you fall il , repent as soon as the sin is committed.	21 Delay not to forsake sins, neglect it not till you are in distress.
22 Let nothing prevent your discharging a vow in good time, and do not wait till death to set matters right.	22 Let nothing prevent the prompt payment of your vows; wait not to fulfill them when you are dying.
23 Prepare yourself before making a vow, and do not be like someone who tempts the Lord.	23 Before making a vow have the means to fulfill it; be not one who tries the LORD.
24 Bear in mind the retribution of the last days, the time of vengeance when God averts his face.	24 Think of wrath and the day of death, the time of vengeance when he will hide his face.
25 In a time of plenty remember times of famine, think of poverty and want when you are rich.	25 Remember the time of hunger in the time of plenty, poverty and want in the day of wealth.
26 The time slips by between dawn and dusk, everything passes quickly for the Lord.	26 Between morning and evening the weather changes; before the LORD all things are fleeting.
27 The wise wil be cautious in everything, in sinful times wil take care not to offend.	27 A wise man is circumspect in all things; when sin is rife he keeps himself from wrongdoing.
28 Every person of sense recognises wisdom, and wil respect anyone who has found her.	28 Any learned man should make wisdom known, and he who attains to her should declare her praise;
29 Those who understand sayings have toiled for their wisdom and have poured out accurate maxims.	29 Those trained in her words must show their wisdom, dispensing sound proverbs like life-giving waters.
30 Do not be governed by your passions, restrain your desires.	30 Go not after your lusts, but keep your desires in check.
31 If you al ow yourself to satisfy your desires, this wil make you the laughing-stock of your enemies.	31 If you satisfy your lustful appetites they will make you the sport of your enemies.
32 Do not indulge in luxurious living, do not get involved in such society.	32 Have no joy in the pleasures of a moment which bring on poverty redoubled;
33 Do not beggar yourself by banqueting on credit when there is nothing in your pocket.	33 Become not a glutton and a winebibber with nothing in your purse.