The Word Am I

The Book of Jesus Sirach

⭑ World English Bible Catholic :: King James Version ⭑

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- Chapter 18 -

God’s works are wonderful: we must serve him, and not our lusts.

1
He who lives forever created the whole universe.
2
The Lord alone is just.
3
(a)
4
He has given power to declare his works to no one. Who could trace out his mighty deeds?
5
Who could measure the strength of his majesty? Who could also proclaim his mercies?
6
As 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.
7
When a man has finished, then he is just at the beginning. When he stops, then he will be perplexed.
8
What is mankind, and what purpose do they serve? What is their good, and what is their evil?
9
The number of man’s days at the most are a hundred years.
10
As a drop of water from the sea, and a pebble from the sand, so are a few years in the day of eternity.
11
For this cause the Lord was patient over them, and poured out his mercy upon them.
12
He saw and perceived their end, that it is evil. Therefore he multiplied his forgiveness.
13
The 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.
14
He has mercy on those who accept chastening, and that diligently seek after his judgments.
15
My son, don’t add reproach to your good deeds, and no harsh words in any of your giving.
16
Doesn’t the dew relieve the scorching heat? So a word is better than a gift.
17
Behold, isn’t a word better than a gift? Both are with a gracious person.
18
A fool is ungracious and abusive. The gift of an grudging person consumes the eyes.
19
Learn before you speak. Take care of your health before you get sick.
20
Before judgment, examine yourself, and in the hour of scrutiny you will find forgiveness.
21
Humble yourself before you get sick. In the time of sins, repent.
22
Let nothing hinder you to pay your vow in due time. Don’t wait until death to be released.
23
Before you make a vow, prepare yourself. Don’t be like a man who tests the Lord.
24
Think about the wrath coming in the days of the end, and the time of vengeance, when he turns away his face.
25
In the days of fullness remember the time of hunger. Remember poverty and lack in the days of wealth.
26
From morning until evening, the time changes. All things are speedy before the Lord.
27
A wise man is cautious in everything. In days of sinning, he will beware of offense.(b)
28
Every man of understanding knows wisdom. He will give thanks to him who found her.
29
They who were of understanding in sayings also became wise themselves, and poured out apt proverbs.
30
Don’t go after your lusts. Restrain your appetites.
31
If you give fully to your soul the delight of her desire, she will make you(c) the laughing stock of your enemies.
32
Don’t make merry in much luxury, and don’t be tied to its expense.
33
Don’t be made a beggar by banqueting with borrowed money when you have nothing in your purse.(d)

Footnotes

(a)18:3 The remainder of verse 2, and verse 3, are omitted by the best authorities.
(b)18:27 The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.
(c)18:31 Or, a rejoicing to
(d)18:33 The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.

God’s works are wonderful: we must serve him, and not our lusts.

1
He that liveth for ever Hath created all things in general.
2
The Lord only is righteous, and there is none other but he,
3
Who governeth the world with the palm of his hand, and all things obey his will: for he is the King of all, by his power dividing holy things among them from profane.
4
To whom hath he given power to declare his works? and who shall find out his noble acts?
5
Who shall number the strength of his majesty? and who shall also tell out his mercies?
6
As for the wondrous works of the Lord, there may nothing be taken from them, neither may any thing be put unto them, neither can the ground of them be found out.
7
When a man hath done, then he beginneth; and when he leaveth off, then he shall be doubtful.
8
What is man, and whereto serveth he? what is his good, and what is his evil?
9
The number of a man’s days at the most are an hundred years.
10
As a drop of water unto the sea, and a gravelstone in comparison of the sand; so are a thousand years to the days of eternity.
11
Therefore is God patient with them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.
12
He saw and perceived their end to be evil; therefore he multiplied his compassion.
13
The mercy of man is toward his neighbour; but the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh: he reproveth, and nurtureth, and teacheth and bringeth again, as a shepherd his flock.
14
He hath mercy on them that receive discipline, and that diligently seek after his judgments.
15
My son, blemish not thy good deeds, neither use uncomfortable words when thou givest any thing.
16
Shall not the dew asswage the heat? so is a word better than a gift.
17
Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a gracious man.
18
A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious consumeth the eyes.
19
Learn before thou speak, and use physick or ever thou be sick.
20
Before judgment examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy.
21
Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins shew repentance.
22
Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified.
23
Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the Lord.
24
Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when he shall turn away his face.
25
When thou hast enough, remember the time of hunger: and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and need.
26
From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before the Lord.
27
A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the day of sinning he will beware of offence: but a fool will not observe time.
28
Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise unto him that found her.
29
They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise themselves, and poured forth exquisite parables.
30
Go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites.
31
If thou givest thy soul the desires that please her, she will make thee a laughingstock to thine enemies that malign thee.
32
Take not pleasure in much good cheer, neither be tied to the expence thereof.
33
Be not made a beggar by banqueting upon borrowing, when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt lie in wait for thine own life, and be talked on.
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