Sirach 35

Sirach 35

The Law and Sacrifices

1The one who keeps the law makes many offerings;[#1 Sam 15.22]

2one who heeds the commandments makes an offering of well-being.[#Lev 3.1; Sir 47.2]

3The one who returns a kindness offers choice flour,[#Sir 38.11]

4and one who gives alms sacrifices a thank offering.

5To keep from wickedness is pleasing to the Lord,[#Dan 4.27]

and to forsake unrighteousness is an atonement.

6Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed,[#Ex 23.15]

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

8The offering of the righteous enriches the altar,[#Gen 8.21; Sir 38.11; 50.15]

and its pleasing odor rises before the Most High.

9The sacrifice of the righteous is acceptable,[#Sir 39.9; Heb 11.4]

and it will never be forgotten.

10Be generous when you worship the Lord,[#v 12 ; Prov 3.9]

and do not skimp the first fruits of your hands.

11With every gift show a cheerful face[#2 Cor 9.7]

and dedicate your tithe with gladness.

12Give to the Most High as he has given to you[#v 10 ; Tob 4.8; Sir 14.11]

and as generously as you can afford.

13For the Lord is the one who repays,[#Prov 19.17; 2 Cor 9.8]

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,[#Deut 10.17; Ps 50.6; 58.11]

for the Lord is the judge,

and with him there is no partiality.

16He will not show partiality to the poor,[#Ex 22.23; Lk 18.7]

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

17He will not ignore the supplication of the orphan[#Ex 22.22; Deut 24.17]

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?

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

and their prayers will reach to the clouds.

21The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds,[#Gen 32.26; Lam 3.44; Lk 18.7]

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.[#Deut 33.11; 2 Pet 3.9]

Indeed, the Lord will not delay,

and like a warrior he will not be patient

until he crushes the loins of the unmerciful

23and repays vengeance on the nations,[#Isa 14.5]

until he destroys the multitude of the insolent

and breaks the scepters of the unrighteous,

24until he repays mortals according to their deeds[#Job 34.11; Mt 16.27; Rev 22.12]

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[#Isa 49.10; Hos 6.3]

as clouds of rain in time of drought.

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Published by: National Council of the Churches of Christ