Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 35

The Law and Sacrifices

¹The one who keeps the law makes many offerings;

²one who heeds the commandments makes an offering of well-being.

³The one who returns a kindness offers choice flour,

⁴and one who gives alms sacrifices a thank offering.

⁵To keep from wickedness is pleasing to the Lord,

and to forsake unrighteousness is an atonement.

⁶Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed,

⁷for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the commandment.

⁸The offering of the righteous enriches the altar,

and its pleasing odor rises before the Most High.

⁹The sacrifice of the righteous is acceptable,

and it will never be forgotten.

¹⁰Be generous when you worship the Lord,

and do not stint the first fruits of your hands.

¹¹With every gift show a cheerful face,

and dedicate your tithe with gladness.

¹²Give to the Most High as he has given to you,

and as generously as you can afford.

¹³For the Lord is the one who repays,

and he will repay you sevenfold.

Divine Justice

¹⁴Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it;

¹⁵and do not rely on a dishonest sacrifice;

for the Lord is the judge,

and with him there is no partiality.

¹⁶He will not show partiality to the poor;

but he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged.

¹⁷He will not ignore the supplication of the orphan,

or the widow when she pours out her complaint.

¹⁸Do not the tears of the widow run down her cheek

¹⁹as she cries out against the one who causes them to fall?

²⁰The one whose service is pleasing to the Lord will be accepted,

and his prayer will reach to the clouds.

²¹The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds,

and it will not rest until it reaches its goal;

it will not desist until the Most High responds

²²and does justice for the righteous, and executes judgment.

Indeed, the Lord will not delay,

and like a warrior will not be patient

until he crushes the loins of the unmerciful

²³and repays vengeance on the nations;

until he destroys the multitude of the insolent,

and breaks the scepters of the unrighteous;

²⁴until he repays mortals according to their deeds,

and the works of all according to their thoughts;

²⁵until he judges the case of his people

and makes them rejoice in his mercy.

²⁶His mercy is as welcome in time of distress

as clouds of rain in time of drought.