A Song of God's Mercy
Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 1. He who lives forever created everything; Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 2. The Lord alone will be declared righteous. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 3. He permitted no one to proclaim His works, For who can trace out His mighty works? Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 4. Who will measure His majestic power with a number, And who will add to this measure While describing His mercies? Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 5. There is no one who can add or subtract, And there is no one who can search out the wonders of the Lord. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 6. When a man completes his search, then he starts over; And when he stops, he will still be perplexed. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 7. What is man and what use is he; What is his good and what is his evil? Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 8. The number of a man's days is considered great If he is one hundred years old. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 9. But like a drop of water from the sea and a grain of sand, So are a few years within a day of eternity. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 10. Therefore the Lord is patient with them And pours out His mercy upon them. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 11. He sees and knows their end, that it is evil; Therefore He makes full atonement for them. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 12. The mercy of a man is upon his neighbor, But the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh, Rebuking, training, and teaching them Like a shepherd who returns his flock to the fold. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 13. He has mercy on those who receive His discipline And who are eager for His judgments.
Take Care to Be Wise
Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 14. My son, do not bring disgrace on the good you have done, Nor cause grief by your words when you make a gift. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 15. Does not dew give relief from the burning heat? In the same way, a word is better than a gift. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 16. Indeed, is not a word better than a fitting gift? And both are found in a gracious man. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 17. A fool will insult and disgrace someone, And the gift of an envious man makes his eyes waste away. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 18. Before you speak, learn, And before you get sick, take care of your health. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 19. Before you make a judgment, examine yourself closely, And in the hour of visitation you will find atonement. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 20. Before you become sick, humble yourself; And at the time of sinning, prove your conversion. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 21. Let nothing hinder you from paying a vow promptly, And do not wait until death to become righteous. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 22. Before you make a vow, prepare yourself; And do not become like a man who tempts the Lord. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 23. Remember His anger on the day of your death, At the time of vengeance, when He turns His face away. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 24. Remember the time of hunger in the time of plenty, And poverty and need in the days of wealth. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 25. From morning until evening, time changes; And all things are soon in the presence of the Lord. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 26. A wise man will have the fear of God in everything he does; And in these days of sin, he will guard against wrongdoing. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 27. Every intelligent man knows wisdom And praises the one who finds her. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 28. The wise in words—they also make others wise, And they pour forth accurate proverbs.
Self-Control
Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 29. Do not walk after your own desires, But restrain your appetites. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 30. If you fill your soul with the desire for pleasure, It will make you the laughingstock of your enemies. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 31. Do not rejoice in great luxury, Lest you become needy by its expense. Wisdom of Sirach 18, verse 32. Do not become a beggar by feasting on borrowed money When you have nothing in your purse.