Sirach 35

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 He that keepeth the law bringeth offerings enough: he that taketh heed to the commandment offereth a peace offering.	1 One who keeps the Law multiplies offerings; one who fol ows the commandments offers communionsacrifices.
2 He that requiteth a goodturn offereth fine flour; and he that giveth alms sacrificeth praise.	2 Proof of gratitude is an offering of fine flour, almsgiving a sacrifice of praise.
3 To depart from wickedness is a thing pleasing to the Lord; and to forsake unrighteousness is a propitiation.	3 To abandon wickedness is what pleases the Lord, to give up wrong-doing is an expiatory sacrifice.
4 Thou shalt not appear empty before the Lord.	4 Do not appear empty-handed in the Lord's presence; for all these things are due under thecommandment.
5 For all these things [are to be done] because of the commandment.	5 The offering of the upright graces the altar, and its savour rises before the Most High.
6 The offering of the righteous maketh the altar fat, and the sweet savour thereof is before the most High.	6 The sacrifice of the upright is acceptable, its memorial wil not be forgotten.
7 The sacrifice of a just man is acceptable. and the memorial thereof shall never be forgotten.	7 Honour the Lord with generosity, do not stint the first-fruits you bring.
8 Give the Lord his honour with a good eye, and diminish not the firstfruits of thine hands.	8 Add a smiling face to al your gifts, and be cheerful as you dedicate your tithes.
9 In all thy gifts shew a cheerful countenance, and dedicate thy tithes with gladness.	9 Give to the Most High as he has given to you, as generously as your means can afford;
10 Give unto the most High according as he hath enriched thee; and as thou hast gotten, give with a cheerful eye.	10 for the Lord is a good rewarder, he wil reward you seven times over.
11 For the Lord recompenseth, and will give thee seven times as much.	11 Do not try to bribe him with presents, he wil not accept them, do not put your faith in wronglymotivated sacrifices;
12 Do not think to corrupt with gifts; for such he will not receive: and trust not to unrighteous sacrifices; for the Lord is judge, and with him is no respect of persons.	12 for the Lord is a judge who is utterly impartial.
13 He will not accept any person against a poor man, but will hear the prayer of the oppressed.	13 He never shows partiality to the detriment of the poor, he listens to the plea of the injured party.
14 He will not despise the supplication of the fatherless; nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint.	14 He does not ignore the orphan's supplication, nor the widow's as she pours out her complaint.
15 Do not the tears run down the widow's cheeks? and is not her cry against him that causeth them to fall?	15 Do the widow's tears not run down her cheeks, as she accuses the man who is the cause of them?
16 He that serveth the Lord shall be accepted with favour, and his prayer shall reach unto the clouds.	16 Whoever wholeheartedly serves God will be accepted, his petitions wil carry to the clouds.
17 The prayer of the humble pierceth the clouds: and till it come nigh, he will not be comforted; and will not depart, till the most High shall behold to judge righteously, and execute judgment.	17 The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds: and until it does, he is not to be consoled,
18 For the Lord will not be slack, neither will the Mighty be patient toward them, till he have smitten in sunder the loins of the unmerciful, and repayed vengeance to the heathen; till he have taken away the multitude of the proud, and broken the sceptre of the unrighteous;	18 nor wil he desist until the Most High takes notice of him, acquits the upright and delivers judgement.
19 Till he have rendered to every man according to his deeds, and to the works of men according to their devices; till he have judged the cause of his people, and made them to rejoice in his mercy.	19 And the Lord will not be slow, nor wil he be dilatory on their behalf,
20 Mercy is seasonable in the time of affliction, as clouds of rain in the time of drought.	20 until he has crushed the loins of the merciless and exacted vengeance on the nations,
21 []	21 until he has eliminated the hordes of the arrogant and broken the sceptres of the wicked,
22 []	22 until he has repaid al people as their deeds deserve and human actions as their intentions merit,
23 []	23 until he has judged the case of his people and made them rejoice in his mercy.
24 []	24 Mercy is welcome in time of trouble, like rain clouds in time of drought.
25 []
26 []