Sirach

¹Don’t desire a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons. ²If they multiply, don’t delight in them unless the fear of the Lord is in them. ³Don’t trust in their life. Don’t rely on their numbers; for one can be better than a thousand, and to die childless than to have ungodly children. ⁴For from one who has understanding, a city will be populated, but a race of wicked men will be made desolate. ⁵I have seen many such things with my eyes. My ear has heard mightier things than these. ⁶In a congregation of sinners, a fire will be kindled. In a disobedient nation, wrath is kindled. ⁷He was not pacified toward the giants of old time, who revolted in their strength. ⁸He didn’t spare Lot’s neighbors, whom he abhorred for their pride. ⁹He didn’t pity the people of perdition who were taken away in their sins, ¹⁰or in like manner, the six hundred thousand footmen who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts. ¹¹Even if there is one stiff-necked person, it is a marvel if he will be unpunished; for mercy and wrath are both with him who is mighty to forgive, and he pours out wrath. ¹²As his mercy is great, so is his correction also. He judges a man according to his works. ¹³The sinner will not escape with plunder. The perseverance of the godly will not be frustrated. ¹⁴He will make room for every work of mercy. Each man will receive according to his works. ¹⁷Don’t 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 a boundless creation? ¹⁸Behold, heaven, the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth, will be moved when he visits. ¹⁹The mountains and the foundations of the earth together are shaken with trembling when he looks at them. ²⁰No heart will think about these things. Who could comprehend his ways? ²¹Like a tempest which no man can see, so, the majority of his works are hidden. ²²Who will declare his works of righteousness? Who will wait for them? For his covenant is afar off. ²³He who is lacking in understanding thinks about these things. An unwise and erring man thinks foolishly.

²⁴My son, listen to me, learn knowledge, and heed my words with your heart. ²⁵I will impart instruction with precision, and declare knowledge exactly. ²⁶In the judgment of the Lord are his works from the beginning. From the making of them he determined their boundaries. ²⁷He arranged his works for all time, and their beginnings to their generations. They aren’t hungry or weary, and they don’t cease from their works. ²⁸No one pushes aside his neighbor. They will never disobey his word. ²⁹After this also the Lord looked at the earth and filled it with his blessings. ³⁰All manner of living things covered its surface, and they return into it.