Sirach 18

¹The One who dwells in eternity created all things together. God alone will be justified, and he remains an invincible King for eternity.

²Who is able to declare his works?

³For who can examine his greatness?

⁴And who will announce the power of his magnitude? Or who would be able to describe his mercy?

⁵There is no diminishing, and no increasing, and there is no discovering, the greatness of God.

⁶When man has reached the end, then he will begin. And when he ceases, he will be in need.

⁷What is man, and what is his grace? And what is his good, or what is his evil?

⁸The number of the days of men are as many as one hundred years. Like a drop of water in the ocean, so they are considered to be. And like a grain of sand on the shore, so do these few years compare to the days of all time.

⁹For this reason, God is patient with them, and he pours forth his mercy upon them.

¹⁰He has seen that the presumption of their heart is evil, and he knows that their rebelliousness is wicked.

¹¹Therefore, he has bestowed his forgiveness on them, and he has revealed to them the way of equity.

¹²The compassion of man is toward those closest to him. But the mercy of God is upon all flesh.

¹³He is merciful, and he teaches and corrects, like a shepherd with his flock.

¹⁴He takes pity on those who accept the doctrine of compassion, and he applies his judgments promptly.

¹⁵Son, in your good works, you should not complain, and in giving anything, you should not cause grief with evil words.

¹⁶Is heat not refreshed by the dew? So also is a good word better than a gift.

¹⁷Behold, is a word not greater than a gift? But both are with a justified man.

¹⁸The foolish place blame sharply. And a gift from the undisciplined causes the eyes to fail.

¹⁹Before you judge, put justice in order within yourself, and before you speak, learn.

²⁰Before you become sick, obtain medicine. And before you judge, examine yourself. And then you will find forgiveness in the sight of God.

²¹Before you become weak, humble yourself; and in a time of infirmity, show your way of life.

²²Let nothing impede you from praying always. And then you will not dread to be justified, even unto death. For the reward of God dwells in eternity.

²³Before you pray, prepare your soul. And do not choose to be like a man who tempts God.

²⁴Remember the wrath that will be on the day of consummation, and remember the time of retribution, when he will turn away his face.

²⁵Remember poverty in a time of abundance, and remember the deficiency of poverty in a day of riches.

²⁶From morning until evening, the time will be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.

²⁷A wise man will be cautious in all things, and during a time of many offenses, he will be attentive against inaction.

²⁸Anyone who is astute recognizes wisdom, and he will acknowledge anyone who finds it.

²⁹Those who show understanding with words also have acted wisely themselves, and they have understood truth and justice, and they have fulfilled proverbs and judgments.

³⁰You should not go after your desires; instead, turn away from your own will.

³¹If you offer your desires to your soul, this will cause you to become a joy to your enemies.

³²Take no delight in disorderly gatherings, whether large or small. For their commission of offenses is unceasing.

³³You should not be reduced by the contention of borrowing, even if there is nothing in your purse. For you would be contending against your own life.