Wis 13:4 Or if they admired their power, and their effects, let them understand by them, that he that made them, is mightier than they: Wis 13:5 For by the greatness of the beauty, and of the creature, the creator of them may be seen, so as to be known thereby. Wis 13:6 But yet as to these they are less to be blamed. For they perhaps err, seeking God, and desirous to find him. Wis 13:7 For being conversant among his works, they search: and they are persuaded that the things are good which are seen. Wis 13:8 But then again they are not to be pardoned. Wis 13:9 For if they were able to know so much as to make a judgment of the world: how did they not more easily find out the Lord thereof? Wis 13:10 But unhappy are they, and their hope is among the dead, who have called gods the works of the hand of men, gold and silver, the inventions of art, and the resemblances of beasts, or an unprofitable stone the work of an ancient hand. Wis 13:11 Or if an artist, a carpenter, hath cut down a tree proper for his use in the wood, and skilfully taken off all the bark thereof, and with his art, diligently formeth a vessel profitable for the common uses of life, Wis 13:12 And useth the chips of his work to dress his meat: Wis 13:13 And taking what was left thereof, which is good for nothing, being a crooked piece of wood, and full of knots, carveth it diligently when he hath nothing else to do, and by the skill of his art fashioneth it, and maketh it like the image of a man: Wis 13:14 Or the resemblance of some beast, laying it over with vermilion, and painting it red, and covering every spot that is in it: Wis 13:15 And maketh a convenient dwelling place for it, and setting it in a wall, and fastening it with iron, Wis 13:16 Providing for it, lest it should fall, knowing that it is unable to help itself: for it is an image, and hath need of help. Wis 13:17 And then maketh prayer to it, enquiring concerning his substance, and his children, or his marriage. And he is not ashamed to speak to that which hath no life: Wis 13:18 And for health he maketh supplication to the weak, and for life prayeth to that which is dead, and for help calleth upon that which is unprofitable: Wis 13:19 And for a good journey he petitioneth him that cannot walk: and for getting, and for working, and for the event of all things he asketh him that is unable to do any thing.
Wis 14:1 Again, another designing to sail, and beginning to make his voyage through the raging waves, calleth upon a piece of wood more frail than the wood that carrieth him. Wis 14:2 For this the desire of gain devised, and the workman built it by his skill. Wis 14:3 But thy providence, O Father, governeth it: for thou hast made a way even in the sea, and a most sure path among the waves, Wis 14:4 Shewing that thou art able to save out of all things, yea, though a man went to sea without art. Wis 14:5 But that the works of thy wisdom might not be idle: therefore men also trust their lives even to a little wood, and passing over the sea by ship, are saved. Wis 14:6 And from the beginning also, when the proud giants perished, the hope of the world fleeing to a vessel, which was governed by thy hand, left to the world seed of generation. Wis 14:7 For blessed is the wood, by which justice cometh Wis 14:8 But the idol that is made by hands, is cursed, as well it, as he that made it: he because he made it; and it because being frail it is called a god. Wis 14:9 But to God the wicked and his wickedness are hateful alike. Wis 14:10 For that which is made, together with him that made it, shall suffer torments.
Wis 14:11 Therefore there shall be no respect had even to the idols of the Gentiles: because the creatures of God are turned to an abomination, and a temptation to the souls of men, and a snare to the feet of the unwise. Wis 14:12 For the beginning of fornication is the devising of idols: and the invention of them is the corruption of life. Wis 14:13 For neither were they from the beginning, neither shall they be for ever. Wis 14:14 For by the vanity of men they came into the world: and therefore they shall be found to come shortly to an end. Wis 14:15 For a father being afflicted with bitter grief, made to himself the image of his son, who was quickly taken away: and him who then had died as a man, he began now to worship as a god, and appointed him rites and sacrifices among his servants. Wis 14:16 Then, in process of time, wicked custom prevailing, this error was kept as a law, and statues were worshipped by the commandment of tyrants. Wis 14:17 And those whom men could not honour in presence, because they dwelt far off, they brought their resemblance from afar, and made an express image of the king, whom they had a mind to honour: that by this their diligence, they might honour as present, him that was absent.
Wis 14:18 And to the worshipping of these, the singular diligence also of the artificer helped to set forward the ignorant. Wis 14:19 For he being willing to please him that employed him, laboured with all his art to make the resemblance in the best manner. Wis 14:20 And the multitude of men, carried away by the beauty of the work, took him now for a god, that little before was but honoured as a man. Wis 14:21 And this was the occasion of deceiving human life: for men serving either their affection, or their kings, gave the incommunicable name to stones and wood. Wis 14:22 And it was not enough for them to err about the knowledge of God, but whereas they lived in a great war of ignorance, they call so many and so great evils peace. Wis 14:23 For either they sacrifice their own children, or use hidden sacrifices, or keep watches full of madness, Wis 14:24 So that now they neither keep life, nor marriage undefiled, but one killeth another through envy, or grieveth him by adultery: Wis 14:25 And all things are mingled together, blood, murder, theft, and dissimulation, corruption and unfaithfulness, tumults and perjury, disquieting of the good, Wis 14:26 Forgetfulness of God, defiling of souls, changing of nature, disorder in marriage, and the irregularity of adultery and uncleanness. Wis 14:27 For the worship of abominable idols is the cause, and the beginning and end of all evil. Wis 14:28 For either they are mad when they are merry: or they prophesy lies, or they live unjustly, or easily forswear themselves. Wis 14:29 For whilst they trust in idols, which are without life, though they swear amiss, they look not to be hurt. Wis 14:30 But for both these things they shall be justly punished, because they have thought not well of God, giving heed to idols, and have sworn unjustly, in guile despising justice. Wis 14:31 For it is not the power of them, by whom they swear, but the just vengeance of sinners always punisheth the transgression of the unjust. Wis 15:1 But thou, our God, art gracious and true, patient, and ordering all things in mercy. Wis 15:2 For if we sin, we are thine, knowing thy greatness: and if we sin not, we know that we are counted with thee. Wis 15:3 For to know thee is perfect justice: and to know thy justice, and thy power, is the root of immortality. Wis 15:4 For the invention of mischievous men hath not deceived us, nor the shadow of a picture, a fruitless labour, a graven figure with divers colours, Wis 15:5 The sight whereof enticeth the fool to lust after it, and he loveth the lifeless figure of a dead image. Wis 15:6 The lovers of evil things deserve to have no better things to trust in, both they that make them, and they that love them, and they that worship them. Wis 15:7 The potter also tempering soft earth, with labour fashioneth every vessel for our service, and of the same clay he maketh both vessels that are for clean uses, and likewise such as serve to the contrary: but what is the use of these vessels, the potter is the judge. Wis 15:8 And of the same clay by a vain labour he maketh a god: he who a little before was made of earth himself, and a little after returneth to the same out of which he was taken, when his life, which was lent him, shall be called for again. Wis 15:9 But his care is, not that he shall labour, nor that his life is short, but he striveth with the goldsmiths and silversmiths: and he endeavoureth to do like the workers in brass, and counteth it a glory to make vain things. Wis 15:10 For his heart is ashes, and his hope vain earth and his life more base than clay: Wis 15:11 Forasmuch as he knew not his maker, and him that inspired into him the soul that worketh, and that breathed into him a living spirit. Wis 15:12 Yea, and they have counted our life a pastime and the business of life to be gain, and that we must be getting every way, even out of evil. Wis 15:13 For that man knoweth that he offendeth above all others, who of earthly matter maketh brittle vessels, and graven gods. Wis 15:14 But all the enemies of thy people that hold them in subjection, are foolish, and unhappy, and proud beyond measure: Wis 15:15 For they have esteemed all the idols of the heathens for gods, which neither have the use of eyes to see, nor noses to draw breath, nor ears to hear, nor fingers of hands to handle, and as for their feet, they are slow to walk. Wis 15:16 For man made them: and he that borroweth his own breath, fashioned them. For no man can make a god like to himself. Wis 15:17 For being mortal himself, he formeth a dead thing with his wicked hands. For he is better than they whom he worshippeth, because he indeed hath lived, though he were mortal, but they never. Wis 15:18 Moreover, they worship also the vilest creatures: but things without sense, compared to these, are worse than they. Wis 15:19 Yea, neither by sight can any man see good of these beasts. But they have fled from the praise of God, and from his blessing.
Wis 16:1 For these things, and by the like things to these, they were worthily punished, and were destroyed by a multitude of beasts. Wis 16:2 Instead of which punishment, dealing well with thy people, thou gavest them their desire of delicious food, of a new taste, preparing for them quails for their meat: Wis 16:3 To the end, that they indeed desiring food, by means of those things that were shewn and sent among them, might loath even that which was necessary to satisfy their desire. But these, after suffering want for a short time, tasted a new meat. Wis 16:4 For it was requisite that inevitable destruction should come upon them that exercised tyranny: but to these it should only be shewn how their enemies were destroyed. Wis 16:5 For when the fierce rage of beasts came upon these, they were destroyed by the bitings of crooked serpents. Wis 16:6 But thy wrath endured not for ever, but they were troubled for a short time for their correction, having a sign of salvation, to put them in remembrance of the commandment of thy law. Wis 16:7 For he that turned to it, was not healed by that which he saw, but by thee, the Saviour of all.
Wis 16:8 And in this thou didst shew to our enemies, that thou art he who deliverest from all evil. Wis 16:9 For the bitings of locusts, and of flies, killed them, and there was found no remedy for their life: because they were worthy to be destroyed by such things. Wis 16:10 But not even the teeth of venomous serpents overcame thy children: for thy mercy came and healed them. Wis 16:11 For they were examined for the remembrance of thy words, and were quickly healed, lest falling into deep forgetfulness, they might not be able to use thy help. Wis 16:12 For it was neither herb, nor mollifying plaster, that healed them, but thy word, O Lord, which healeth all things. Wis 16:13 For it is thou, O Lord, that hast power of life and death, and leadest down to the gates of death, and bringest back again: Wis 16:14 A man indeed killeth through malice, and when the spirit is gone forth, it shall not return, neither shall he call back the soul that is received: Wis 16:15 But it is impossible to escape thy hand: Wis 16:16 For the wicked that denied to know thee, were scourged by the strength of thy arm, being persecuted by strange waters, and hail, and rain, and consumed by fire.
Wis 16:17 And which was wonderful, in water, which extinguisheth all things, the fire had more force: for the world fighteth for the just. Wis 16:18 For at one time the fire was mitigated, that the beasts which were sent against the wicked might not be burnt, but that they might see, and perceive that they were persecuted by the judgment of God. Wis 16:19 And at another time the fire, above its own power, burnt in the midst of water, to destroy the fruits of a wicked land. Wis 16:20 Instead of which things, thou didst feed thy people with the food of angels, and gavest them bread from heaven, prepared without labour; having in it all that is delicious, and the sweetness of every taste. Wis 16:21 For thy sustenance shewed thy sweetness to thy children, and serving every man's will, it was turned to what every man liked. Wis 16:22 But snow and ice endured the force of fire, and melted not: that they might know that the fire, burning in the hail, and flashing in the rain, destroyed the fruits of the enemies. Wis 16:23 But this same again, that the just might be nourished, did even forget its own strength.
Wis 16:24 For the creature serving thee, the Creator, is made fierce against the unjust for their punishment: and abateth its strength for the benefit of them that trust in thee. Wis 16:25 Therefore even then it was transformed into all things, and was obedient to thy grace, that nourisheth all, according to the will of them that desired it of thee: Wis 16:26 That thy children, O Lord, whom thou lovedst, might know that it is not the growing of fruits that nourisheth men, but thy word preserveth them that believe in thee. Wis 16:27 For that which could not be destroyed by fire, being warmed with a little sunbeam, presently melted away: Wis 16:28 That it might be known to all, that we ought to prevent the sun to bless thee, and adore thee at the dawning of the light. Wis 16:29 For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter's ice, and shall run off as unprofitable water. Wis 17:1 For thy judgments, O Lord, are great, and thy words cannot be expressed: therefore undisciplined souls have erred.
Wis 17:2 For while the wicked thought to be able to have dominion over the holy nation, they themselves being fettered with the bonds of darkness, and a long night, shut up in their houses, lay there exiled from the eternal providence. Wis 17:3 And while they thought to lie hid in their obscure sins, they were scattered under a dark veil of forgetfullness, being horribly afraid, and troubled with exceeding great astonishment. Wis 17:4 For neither did the den that held them, keep them from fear: for noises coming down troubled them, and sad visions appearing to them, affrighted them. Wis 17:5 And no power of fire could give them light, neither could the bright flames of the stars enlighten that horrible night. Wis 17:6 But there appeared to them a sudden fire, very dreadful: and being struck with the fear of that face, which was not seen, they thought the things which they saw to be worse: Wis 17:7 And the delusions of their magic art were put down, and their boasting of wisdom was reproachfully rebuked. Wis 17:8 For they who promised to drive away fears and troubles from a sick soul, were sick themselves of a fear worthy to be laughed at.
Wis 17:9 For though no terrible thing disturbed them: yet being scared with the passing by of beasts, and hissing of serpents, they died for fear and denying that they saw the air, which could by no means be avoided. Wis 17:10 For whereas wickedness is fearful, it beareth witness of its condemnation: for a troubled conscience always forecasteth grievous things. Wis 17:11 For fear is nothing else but a yielding up of the succours from thought. Wis 17:12 And while there is less expectation from within, the greater doth it count the ignorance of that cause which bringeth the torment. Wis 17:13 But they that during that night, in which nothing could be done, and which came upon them from the lowest and deepest hell, slept the same sleep, Wis 17:14 Were sometimes molested with the fear of monsters, sometimes fainted away, their soul failing them: for a sudden and unlooked for fear was come upon them. Wis 17:15 Moreover, if any of them had fallen down, he was kept shut up in prison without irons. Wis 17:16 For if any one were a husbandman, or a shepherd, or a labourer in the field, and was suddenly overtaken, he endured a necessity from which he could not fly.
Wis 17:17 For they were all bound together with one chain of darkness. Whether it were a whistling wind, or the melodious voice of birds, among the spreading branches of trees, or a fall of water running down with violence, Wis 17:18 Or the mighty noise of stones tumbling down, or the running that could not be seen of beasts playing together, or the roaring voice of wild beasts, or a rebounding echo from the highest mountains: these things made them to swoon for fear. Wis 17:19 For the whole world was enlightened, with a clear light, and none were hindered in their labours. Wis 17:20 But over them only was spread a heavy night, an image of that darkness which was to come upon them. But they were to themselves more grievous than the darkness. Wis 18:1 But thy saints had a very great light, and they heard their voice indeed, but did not see their shape. And because they also did not suffer the same things, they glorified thee: Wis 18:2 And they that before had been wronged, gave thanks, because they were not hurt now: and asked this gift, that there might be a difference.
Wis 18:3 Therefore they received a burning pillar of fire for a guide of the way which they knew not, and thou gavest them a harmless sun of a good entertainment. Wis 18:4 The others indeed were worthy to be deprived of light, and imprisoned in darkness, who kept thy children shut up, by whom the pure light of the law was to be given to the world. Wis 18:5 And whereas they thought to kill the babes of the just: one child being cast forth, and saved to reprove them, thou tookest away a multitude of their children, and destroyedst them altogether in a mighty water. Wis 18:6 For that night was known before by our fathers, that assuredly knowing what oaths they had trusted to, they might be of better courage. Wis 18:7 So thy people received the salvation of the just, and destruction of the unjust. Wis 18:8 For as thou didst punish the adversaries so thou didst also encourage and glorify us. Wis 18:9 For the just children of good men were offering sacrifice secretly, and they unanimously ordered a law of justice: that the just should receive both good and evil alike, singing now the praises of the fathers. Wis 18:10 But on the other side there sounded an ill according cry of the enemies, and a lamentable mourning was heard for the children that were bewailed.
Wis 18:11 And the servant suffered the same punishment as the master, and a common man suffered in like manner as the king. Wis 18:12 So all alike had innumerable dead, with one kind of death. Neither were the living sufficient to bury them: for in one moment the noblest offspring of them was destroyed. Wis 18:13 For whereas they would not believe any thing before by reason of the enchantments, then first upon the destruction of the firstborn, they acknowledged the people to be of God. Wis 18:14 For while all things were in quiet silence, and the night was in the midst of her course, Wis 18:15 Thy Almighty word leaped down from heaven from thy royal throne, as a fierce conqueror into the midst of the land of destruction, Wis 18:16 With a sharp sword carrying thy unfeigned commandment, and he stood and filled all things with death, and standing on the earth, reached even to heaven. Wis 18:17 Then suddenly visions of evil dreams troubled them, and fears unlooked for came upon them. Wis 18:18 And one thrown here, another there, half dead, shewed the cause of his death. Wis 18:19 For the visions that troubled them foreshewed these things, lest they should perish, and not know why they suffered these evils.
Wis 18:20 But the just also were afterwards touched by an assault of death, and there was a disturbance of the multitude in the wilderness: but thy wrath did not long continue; Wis 18:21 For a blameless man made haste to pry for the people, bringing forth the shield of his ministry, prayer, and by incense making supplication, withstood the wrath, and put an end to the calamity, shewing that he was thy servant. Wis 18:22 And he overcame the disturbance, not by strength of body nor with force of arms, but with a word he subdued him that punished them, alleging the oath and covenant made with the fathers. Wis 18:23 For when they were now fallen down dead by heaps one upon another, he stood between and stayed the assault, and cut off the way to the living. Wis 18:24 For in the priestly robe which he wore, was the whole world: and in the four rows of the stones, the glory of the fathers was graven, and thy majesty was written upon the diadem of his head. Wis 18:25 And to these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them: for the proof only of wrath was enough. Wis 19:1 But as to the wicked, even to the end there came upon them wrath without mercy. For he knew before also what they would do: Wis 19:2 For when they had given them leave to depart and had sent them away with great care, they repented and pursued after them. Wis 19:3 For whilst they were yet mourning, and lamenting at the graves of the dead, they took up another foolish device: and pursued them as fugitives whom they had pressed to be gone: Wis 19:4 For a necessity, of which they were worthy, brought them to this end: and they lost the remembrance of those things which had happened, that their punishment might fill up what was wanting to their torments: Wis 19:5 And that thy people might wonderfully pass through, but they might find a new death. Wis 19:6 For every creature, according to its kind was fashioned again as from the beginning, obeying thy commandments, that thy children might be kept without hurt. Wis 19:7 For a cloud overshadowed their camps and where water was before, dry land appeared, and in the Red Sea a way without hindrance, and out of the great deep a springing field: Wis 19:8 Through which all the nation passed which was protected with thy hand, seeing thy miracles and wonders. Wis 19:9 For they fed on their food like horses, and they skipped like lambs, praising thee, O Lord, who hadst delivered them.
Wis 19:10 For they were yet mindful of those things which had been done in the time of their sojourning, how the ground brought forth flies instead of cattle, and how the river cast up a multitude of frogs instead of fishes. Wis 19:11 And at length they saw a new generation of birds, when being led by their appetite, they asked for delicate meats. Wis 19:12 For to satisfy their desire, the quail came up to them from the sea: and punishments came upon the sinners, not without foregoing signs by the force of thunders: for they suffered justly according to their own wickedness. Wis 19:13 For they exercised a more detestable inhospitality than any: others indeed received not strangers unknown to them, but these brought their guests into bondage that had deserved well of them. Wis 19:14 And not only so, but in another respect also they were worse: for the others against their will received the strangers. Wis 19:15 But these grievously afflicted them whom they had received with joy, and who lived under the same laws. Wis 19:16 But they were struck with blindness: as those others were at the doors of the just man, when they were covered with sudden darkness, and every one sought the passage of his own door.
Wis 19:17 For while the elements are changed in themselves, as in an instrument the sound of the quality is changed, yet all keep their sound: which may clearly be perceived by the very sight. Wis 19:18 For the things of the land were turned into things of the water: and the things that before swam in the water passed upon the land. Wis 19:19 The fire had power in water above its own virtue, and the water forgot its quenching nature. Wis 19:20 On the other side, the flames wasted not the flesh of corruptible animals walking therein, neither did they melt that good food, which was apt to melt as ice. For in all things thou didst magnify thy people, O Lord, and didst honour them, and didst not despise them, but didst assist them at all times, and in every place.
Sir 1:1 All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him, and is before all time. Sir 1:2 Who hath numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of the world? Who hath measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss? Sir 1:3 Who hath searched out the wisdom of God that goeth before all things? Sir 1:4 Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting. Sir 1:5 The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdom, and her ways are everlasting commandments. Sir 1:6 To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed, and who hath known her wise counsels? Sir 1:7 To whom hath the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made manifest? and who hath understood the multiplicity of her steps? Sir 1:8 There is one most high Creator Almighty, and a powerful king, and greatly to be feared, who sitteth upon his throne, and is the God of dominion. Sir 1:9 He created her in the Holy Ghost, and saw her, and numbered her, and measured her. Sir 1:10 And he poured her out upon all his works, and upon all flesh according to his gift, and hath given her to them that love him. Sir 1:11 The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of joy. Sir 1:12 The fear of the Lord shall delight the heart, and shall give joy, and gladness, and length of days.
Sir 1:13 With him that feareth the Lord, it shall go well in the latter end, and in the day of his death he shall be blessed. Sir 1:14 The love of God is honourable wisdom. Sir 1:15 And they to whom she shall shew herself love her by the sight, and by the knowledge of her great works. Sir 1:16 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and was created with the faithful in the womb, it walketh with chosen women, and is known with the just and faithful. Sir 1:17 The fear of the Lord is the religiousness of knowledge. Sir 1:18 Religiousness shall keep and justify the heart, it shall give joy and gladness. Sir 1:19 It shall go well with him that feareth the Lord, and in the days of his end he shall be blessed. Sir 1:20 To fear God is the fulness of wisdom, and fulness is from the fruits thereof. Sir 1:21 She shall fill all her house with her increase, and the storehouses with her treasures. Sir 1:22 The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, filling up peace and the fruit of salvation: Sir 1:23 And it hath seen, and numbered her: but both are the gifts of God. Sir 1:24 Wisdom shall distribute knowledge, and understanding of prudence: and exalteth the glory of them that hold her. Sir 1:25 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord: and the branches thereof are long-lived.
Sir 1:26 In the treasures of wisdom is understanding, and religiousness of knowledge: but to sinners wisdom is an abomination. Sir 1:27 The fear of the Lord driveth out sin: Sir 1:28 For he that is without fear, cannot be justified: for the wrath of his high spirits is his ruin. Sir 1:29 A patient man shall bear for a time, and afterwards joy shall be restored to him. Sir 1:30 A good understanding will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom. Sir 1:31 In the treasures of wisdom is the signification of discipline: Sir 1:32 But the worship of God is an abomination to a sinner. Sir 1:33 Son, if thou desire wisdom, keep justice, and God will give her to thee. Sir 1:34 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline: and that which is agreeable to him, Sir 1:35 Is faith, and meekness: and he will fill up his treasures. Sir 1:36 Be not incredulous to the fear of the Lord: and come not to him with a double heart. Sir 1:37 Be not a hypocrite in the sight of men, and let not thy lips be a stumblingblock to thee. Sir 1:38 Watch over them, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul, Sir 1:39 And God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation. Sir 1:40 Because thou camest to the Lord wickedly, and thy heart is full of guile and deceit. Sir 2:1 Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation. Sir 2:2 Humble thy heart, and endure: incline thy ear, and receive the words of understanding: and make not haste in the time of clouds. Sir 2:3 Wait on God with patience: join thyself to God, and endure, that thy life may be increased in the latter end. Sir 2:4 Take all that shall be brought upon thee: and in thy sorrow endure, and in thy humiliation keep patience. Sir 2:5 For gold and silver are tried in the fire, but acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation. Sir 2:6 Believe God, and he will recover thee: and direct thy way, and trust in him. Keep his fear, and grow old therein. Sir 2:7 Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy: and go not aside from him lest ye fall. Sir 2:8 Ye that fear the Lord, believe him: and your reward shall not be made void. Sir 2:9 Ye that fear the Lord hope in him, and mercy shall come to you for your delight.
Sir 2:10 Ye that fear the Lord, love him, and your hearts shall be enlightened. Sir 2:11 My children behold the generations of men: and know ye that no one hath hoped in the Lord, and hath been confounded. Sir 2:12 For who hath continued in his commandment, and hath been forsaken? or who hath called upon him, and he despised him? Sir 2:13 For God is compassionate and merciful, and will forgive sins in the day of tribulation: and he is a protector to all that seek him in truth. Sir 2:14 Woe to them that are of a double heart and to wicked lips, and to the hands that do evil, and to the sinner that goeth on the earth two ways. Sir 2:15 Woe to them that are fainthearted, who believe not God: and therefore they shall not be protected by him. Sir 2:16 Woe to them that have lost patience, and that have forsaken the right ways, and have gone aside into crooked ways. Sir 2:17 And what will they do, when the Lord shall begin to examine? Sir 2:18 They that fear the Lord, will not be incredulous to his word: and they that love him, will keep his way. Sir 2:19 They that fear the Lord, will seek after the things that are well pleasing to him: and they that love him, shall be filled with his law.
Sir 2:20 They that fear the Lord, will prepare their hearts, and in his sight will sanctify their souls, Sir 2:21 They that fear the Lord, keep his commandments, and will have patience even until his visitation, Sir 2:22 Saying: If we do not penance, we shall fall into the hands of the Lord, and not into the hands of men. Sir 2:23 For according to his greatness, so also is his mercy with him. Sir 3:1 The sons of wisdom are the church of the just: and their generation, obedience and love. Sir 3:2 Children, hear the judgment of your father, and so do that you may be saved. Sir 3:3 For God hath made the father honourable to the children: and seeking the judgment of the mothers, hath confirmed it upon the children. Sir 3:4 He that loveth God, shall obtain pardon for his sins by prayer, and shall refrain himself from them, and shall be heard in the prayer of days. Sir 3:5 And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up a treasure. Sir 3:6 He that honoureth his father shall have joy in his own children, and in the day of his prayer he shall be heard. Sir 3:7 He that honoureth his father shall enjoy a long life: and he that obeyeth the father, shall be a comfort to his mother.
Sir 3:8 He that feareth the Lord, honoureth his parents, and will serve them as his masters that brought him into the world. Sir 3:9 Honour thy father, in work and word, and all patience, Sir 3:10 That a blessing may come upon thee from him, and his blessing may remain in the latter end. Sir 3:11 The father's blessing establisheth the houses of the children: but the mother's curse rooteth up the foundation. Sir 3:12 Glory not in the dishonour of thy father: for his shame is no glory to thee. Sir 3:13 For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father, and a father without honour is the disgrace of the son. Sir 3:14 Son, support the old age of thy father, and grieve him not in his life; Sir 3:15 And if his understanding fail, have patience with him, and despise him not when thou art in thy strength: for the relieving of the father shall not be forgotten. Sir 3:16 For good shall be repaid to thee for the sin of thy mother. Sir 3:17 And in justice thou shalt be built up, and in the day of affliction thou shalt be remembered: and thy sins shall melt away as the ice in the fair warm weather. Sir 3:18 Of what an evil fame is he that forsaketh his father: and he is cursed of God that angereth his mother.
Sir 3:19 My son, do thy works in meekness, and thou shalt be beloved above the glory of men. Sir 3:20 The greater thou art, the more humble thyself in all things, and thou shalt find grace before God: Sir 3:21 For great is the power of God alone, and he is honoured by the humble. Sir 3:22 Seek not the things that are too high for thee, and search not into things above thy ability: but the things that God hath commanded thee, think on them always, and in many of his works be not curious. Sir 3:23 For it is not necessary for thee to see with thy eyes those things that are hid. Sir 3:24 In unnecessary matters be not over curious, and in many of his works thou shalt not be inquisitive. Sir 3:25 For many things are shewn to thee above the understanding of men. Sir 3:26 And the suspicion of them hath deceived many, and hath detained their minds in vanity. Sir 3:27 A hard heart shall fear evil at the last: and he that loveth danger shall perish in it. Sir 3:28 A heart that goeth two ways shall not have success, and the perverse of heart shall be scandalized therein. Sir 3:29 A wicked heart shall be laden with sorrows, and the sinner will add sin to sin.