Sirach 18

¹He who lives forever created the whole universe.

²The Lord alone is just. ³

⁴He has given power to declare his works to no one.

Who could trace out his mighty deeds?

⁵Who could measure the strength of his majesty?

Who could also proclaim his mercies?

⁶As for the wondrous works of the Lord, it is not possible to take from them nor add to them,

neither is it possible to explore them.1

⁷When a man has finished, then he is just at the beginning.

When he stops, then he will be perplexed.1

⁸What is mankind, and what purpose do they serve?

What is their good, and what is their evil?

⁹The number of man’s days at the most are a hundred years.

¹⁰As a drop of water from the sea, and a pebble from the sand,

so are a few years in the day of eternity.

¹¹For this cause the Lord was patient over them,

and poured out his mercy upon them.

¹²He saw and perceived their end, that it is evil.

Therefore he multiplied his forgiveness.

¹³The mercy of a man is on his neighbor;

but the mercy of the Lord is on all flesh:

reproving, chastening, teaching,

and bringing back, as a shepherd does his flock.

¹⁴He has mercy on those who accept chastening,

and that diligently seek after his judgments.

¹⁵My son, don’t add reproach to your good deeds,

and no harsh words in any of your giving.

¹⁶Doesn’t the dew relieve the scorching heat?

So a word is better than a gift.

¹⁷Behold, isn’t a word better than a gift?

Both are with a gracious person.

¹⁸A fool is ungracious and abusive.

The gift of a grudging person consumes the eyes.

¹⁹Learn before you speak.

Take care of your health before you get sick.

²⁰Before judgment, examine yourself,

and in the hour of scrutiny you will find forgiveness.

²¹Humble yourself before you get sick.

In the time of sins, repent.

²²Let nothing hinder you to pay your vow in due time.

Don’t wait until death to be released.

²³Before you make a vow, prepare yourself.

Don’t be like a man who tests the Lord.

²⁴Think about the wrath coming in the days of the end,

and the time of vengeance, when he turns away his face.

²⁵In the days of fullness remember the time of hunger.

Remember poverty and lack in the days of wealth.

²⁶From morning until evening, the time changes.

All things are speedy before the Lord.

²⁷A wise man is cautious in everything.

In days of sinning, he will beware of offense.

²⁸Every man of understanding knows wisdom.

He will give thanks to him who found her.

²⁹They who were of understanding in sayings also became wise themselves,

and poured out apt proverbs.

³⁰Don’t go after your lusts.

Restrain your appetites.1

³¹If you give fully to your soul the delight of her desire,

she will make you the laughing stock of your enemies.

³²Don’t make merry in much luxury,

and don’t be tied to its expense.

³³Don’t be made a beggar by banqueting with borrowed money

when you have nothing in your purse.