Sirach 18
Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)Translation
Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)
King James Version with Apocrypha
1He that liveth for ever created all things together. God only shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king for ever.
1He that liveth for ever Hath created all things in general.
2Who is able to declare his works?
2The Lord only is righteous, and there is none other but he,
3For who shall search out his glorious acts?
3Who 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.
4And who shall shew forth the power of his majesty? or who shall be able to declare his mercy?
4To whom hath he given power to declare his works? and who shall find out his noble acts?
5Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to find out the glorious works of God:
5Who shall number the strength of his majesty? and who shall also tell out his mercies?
6When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth off, he shall be at a loss.
6As 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.
7What is man, and what is his grace? and what is his good, or what is his evil?
7When a man hath done, then he beginneth; and when he leaveth off, then he shall be doubtful.
8The number of the days of men at the most are a hundred years: as a drop of water of the sea are they esteemed: and as a pebble of the sand, so are a few years compared to eternity.
8What is man, and whereto serveth he? what is his good, and what is his evil?
9Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.
9The number of a man’s days at the most are an hundred years.
10He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is wicked, and hath known their end that it is evil.
10As 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.
11Therefore bath he filled up his mercy in their favour, and hath shewn them the way of justice.
11Therefore is God patient with them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.
12The compassion of man is toward his neighbour: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh.
12He saw and perceived their end to be evil; therefore he multiplied his compassion.
13He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his hock.
13The 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.
14He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and that maketh haste in his judgments.
14He hath mercy on them that receive discipline, and that diligently seek after his judgments.
15My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou givest any thing, add not grief by an evil word.
15My son, blemish not thy good deeds, neither use uncomfortable words when thou givest any thing.
16Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so also the good word is better than the gift.
16Shall not the dew asswage the heat? so is a word better than a gift.
17Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a justified man.
17Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a gracious man.
18A fool will upbraid bitterly: and a gift of one ill taught consumeth the eyes.
18A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious consumeth the eyes.
19Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou speak.
19Learn before thou speak, and use physick or ever thou be sick.
20Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God.
20Before judgment examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy.
21Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness shew thy conversation.
21Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins shew repentance.
22Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth for ever.
22Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified.
23Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God.
23Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the Lord.
24Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face.
24Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when he shall turn away his face.
25Remember poverty is the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches.
25When thou hast enough, remember the time of hunger: and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and need.
26From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.
26From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before the Lord.
27A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the days of sins will beware of sloth.
27A 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.
28Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise to him that findeth her.
28Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise unto him that found her.
29They that were of good understanding in words, have also done wisely themselves: and have understood truth and justice, and have poured forth proverbs and judgments.
29They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise themselves, and poured forth exquisite parables.
30Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from thy own will.
30Go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites.
31If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies.
31If thou givest thy soul the desires that please her, she will make thee a laughingstock to thine enemies that malign thee.
32Take no pleasure in riotous assemblies, be they ever so small: for their concertation is continual.
32Take not pleasure in much good cheer, neither be tied to the expence thereof.
33Make not thyself poor by borrowing to contribute to feasts when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt be an enemy to thy own life.
33Be 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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