Ungodly Children
Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 1. Do not desire a multitude of useless children, Nor rejoice in ungodly sons. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 2. If they multiply, do not rejoice over them If the fear of the Lord is not in them. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 3. Do not trust in their life Nor pay attention to their multitude; For one godly child is better than a thousand. And it is better to die childless than to have ungodly children. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 4. For from one child with wisdom a city will be filled with people, But a tribe of lawless men will make it desolate. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 5. My eyes have seen many such things, And my ear has heard worse things than this.
Rebuke and Mercy
Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 6. In the congregation of sinners, a fire will be kindled, And in a disobedient nation, wrath is kindled. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 7. There was no atonement for the ancient giants Who turned away from God because of their strength. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 8. He did not spare the cities where Lot sojourned, Whom He detested because of their arrogance. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 9. He had no mercy on a nation destined for destruction Who were taken away because of their sins. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 10. The same thing happened to the six hundred thousand foot-soldiers Who gathered together in their hardness of heart. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 11. Even if there was only one stiff-necked man, It would be a marvel if he were to remain unpunished. For mercy and wrath belong to the Lord, And He is mighty to forgive; And He pours out wrath. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 12. As great as His mercy, so also great is His rebuke, And He will judge a man according to his works. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 13. A sinner will not escape with his spoils, And the patience of a godly man will not fare badly. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 14. He will make a place for every act of mercy. Each will find this out according to his works.
None Remain Anonymous
Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 15. Do not say, “I will be hidden from the Lord, And who will remember me from on high? I will not be known among so many people, For what is my soul in comparison to the immeasurable creation? Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 16. Behold, heaven and the highest heaven, The abyss and the earth will be shaken at His visitation. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 17. At the same time, the mountains and the foundations of the earth Will shake with trembling when He looks upon them. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 18. No heart will able to think about these things, And who will ponder His ways? Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 19. There will be a sudden blast of wind which no man will see, For most of His works will be done in secret. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 20. Who will proclaim His works of righteousness, Or who will endure them? For His covenant is far off.” Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 21. This is what a man thinks Who is diminished in heart and without discernment, Who is deceived and thinks foolishly. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 22. Listen to me, my son, and gain knowledge, And pay close attention to my words in your heart. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 23. I will reveal instruction with balance, And I will proclaim knowledge with exactness.
The Majesty of Creation
Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 24. By the judgment of the Lord, His works exist from the beginning, And from their creation, He determined their boundaries. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 25. He ordered His works forever, And their principles according to their generations. They neither hunger nor grow weary, And they do not cease from their works. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 26. Each does not afflict the one close to him, And they will never disobey His word. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 27. After this the Lord looked upon the earth And filled it with His good things. Wisdom of Sirach 16, verse 28. He covered its surface with the life of every living creature, And to it they will return again.