Sirach 16
1 Desire not a multitude of
unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons.
2 Though they multiply, rejoice not in
them, except the fear of the Lord be with them.
3 Trust not thou in their life,
neither respect their multitude: for one that is just is better than a
thousand; and better it is to die without children, than to have them that are
ungodly. 4 For by one that hath
understanding shall the city be replenished: but the kindred of the wicked
shall speedily become desolate. 5 Many
such things have I seen with mine eyes, and mine ear hath heard greater things
than these.
6 In the congregation of the ungodly
shall a fire be kindled; and in a rebellious nation wrath is set on fire.
7 He was not pacified toward the old
giants, who fell away in the strength of their foolishness.
8 Neither spared he the place where
Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for their pride.
9 He pitied not the people of
perdition, who were taken away in their sins:
10 nor the six hundred thousand
footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.
11 And if there be one stiffnecked
among the people, it is marvel if he escape unpunished: for mercy and wrath
are with him; he is mighty to forgive and to pour out displeasure.
12 As his mercy is great, so is his
correction also: he judgeth a man according to his works.
13 The sinner shall not escape with
his spoils: and the patience of the godly shall not be frustrate.
14 Make way for every work of mercy:
for every man shall find according to his works.
17 Say not thou, I will hide myself
from the Lord: shall any remember me from above? I shall not be remembered
among so many people: for what is my soul among such an infinite number of
creatures? 18 Behold, the heaven, and
the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth, and all that therein is, shall
be moved when he shall visit. 19 The
mountains also and foundations of the earth shall be shaken with trembling,
when he looketh upon them. 20 No
heart can think upon these things worthily: and who is able to conceive his
ways? 21 It is a tempest which no man
can see: for the most part of his works are hid.
22 Who can declare the works of his
justice? or who can endure them? for his covenant is afar off.
23 He that wanteth understanding will
think upon vain things: and a foolish man erring imagineth follies.
24 My son, hearken unto me, and learn
knowledge, and mark my words with thy heart.
25 I will shew forth doctrine in
weight, and declare his knowledge exactly.
26 The works of the Lord are done in
judgment from the beginning: and from the time he made them he disposed the
parts thereof. 27 He garnished his
works for ever, and the chief of them unto all generations: they neither
labour, nor are weary, nor cease from their works.
28 None of them hindereth another,
and they shall never disobey his word.
29 After this the Lord looked upon
the earth, and filled it with his blessings.
30 With all manner of living things
hath he covered the face thereof; and they shall return into it again.