Sirach 35

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
1 Whoever observes the law multiplies oblations.	1 He who keeps the law makes many offerings; he who heeds the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
2 It is a salutary sacrifice to attend to the commandments and to withdraw from all iniquity.	2 He who returns a kindness offers fine flour, and he who gives alms sacrifices a thank offering.
3 And to depart from injustice is to offer a propitiatory sacrifice for injustices and a supplication for sins.	3 To keep from wickedness is pleasing to the Lord, and to forsake unrighteousness is atonement.
4 Whoever gives thanks, offers a gift of fine flour, and whoever acts with mercy, offers a sacrifice.	4 Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed,
5 To withdraw from iniquity is well-pleasing to the Lord. And to withdraw from injustice is a supplication for sins.	5 for all these things are to be done because of the commandment.
6 You should not appear empty before the sight of the Lord.	6 The offering of a righteous man anoints the altar, and its pleasing odor rises before the Most High.
7 For all these things are to be done because of the commandment of God.	7 The sacrifice of a righteous man is acceptable, and the memory of it will not be forgotten.
8 The oblation of the just fattens the altar, and is a fragrance of sweetness in the sight of the Most High.	8 Glorify the Lord generously, and do not stint the first fruits of your hands.
9 The sacrifice of the just is acceptable, and the Lord will never forget the memorial of it.	9 With every gift show a cheerful face, and dedicate your tithe with gladness.
10 Render glory to God with a good heart. And you should not reduce the first-fruits of your hands.	10 Give to the Most High as he has given, and as generously as your hand has found.
11 With every gift, have a cheerful countenance, and sanctify your tithes with exultation.	11 For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold.
12 Give to the Most High according to his gifts to you, and act with a good eye toward the creations of your hands.	12 Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it; and do not trust to an unrighteous sacrifice; for the Lord is the judge, and with him is no partiality.
13 For the Lord gives recompense, and he will repay you seven times as much.	13 He will not show partiality in the case of a poor man; and he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged.
14 Do not be willing to offer corrupt gifts. For he will not accept them.	14 He will not ignore the supplication of the fatherless, nor the widow when she pours out her story.
15 And do not be willing to consider an unjust sacrifice. For the Lord is the judge, and with him there is no favoritism toward anyone.	15 Do not the tears of the widow run down her cheek as she cries out against him who has caused them to fall?
16 The Lord will not accept favoritism against the poor, but he will heed the prayer of one who has been harmed.	16 He whose service is pleasing to the Lord will be accepted, and his prayer will reach to the clouds.
17 He will not despise the prayers of the orphan, nor of the widow, if she utters a lamenting complaint.	17 The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds, and he will not be consoled until it reaches the Lord; he will not desist until the Most High visits him, and does justice for the righteous, and executes judgment.
18 Do a widow’s tears not run down her cheek? And will her outcry not cause their downfall?	18 And the Lord will not delay, neither will he be patient with them, till he crushes the loins of the unmerciful and repays vengeance on the nations; till he takes away the multitude of the insolent, and breaks the scepters of the unrighteous;
19 For from her cheek, her tears ascend even to heaven. And the Lord, the One who listens, will not take delight in them.	19 till he repays the man according to his deeds, and the works of men according to their devices; till he judges the case of his people and makes them rejoice in his mercy.
20 Whoever adores God with joy will be accepted, and his prayer will reach even to the clouds.	20 Mercy is as welcome when he afflicts them as clouds of rain in the time of drought.
21 The prayer of one who humbles himself will pierce the clouds. And it will not be consoled until it draws near; and it will not withdraw until the Most High beholds.
22 And the Lord will not delay, and he will judge for those who are just, and he will accomplish judgment. And the Almighty will not have patience with them, so that he may crush their back.
23 And he will repay vengeance to the Gentiles, until he has taken away the multitude of the arrogant, and broken the scepters of the iniquitous,
24 until he has rendered to men according to their deeds, and according to the works of Adam, and according to his presumption,
25 until he has judged the judgment of his people. And he will delight the just with his mercy.
26 The mercy of God is beautiful in the time of tribulation, like a rain cloud in the time of drought.