Sirach 18

1He who lives for ever created the whole universe;

2the Lord alone will be declared righteous.a

4To none has he given power to proclaim his works;

and who can search out his mighty deeds?

5Who can measure his majestic power?

And who can fully recount his mercies?

6It is not possible to diminish or increase them,

nor is it possible to trace the wonders of the Lord.

7When a man has finished, he is just beginning,

and when he stops, he will be at a loss.

8What is man, and of what use is he?

What is his good and what is his evil?

9The number of a man's days is great if he reaches a hundred years.

10Like a drop of water from the sea and a grainb of sand

so are a few years in the day of eternity.

11Therefore the Lord is patient with them

and pours out his mercy upon them.

12He sees and recognizes that their end will be evil;

therefore he grants them forgiveness in abundance.

13The compassion of man is for his neighbor,

but the compassion of the Lord is for all living beings.

He rebukes and trains and teaches them,

and turns them back, as a shepherd his flock.

14He has compassion on those who accept his discipline

and who are eager for his judgments.

15My son, do not mix reproach with your good deeds,

nor cause grief by your words when you present a gift.

16Does not the dew assuage the scorching heat?

So a word is better than a gift.

17Indeed, does not a word surpass a good gift?

Both are to be found in a gracious man.

18A fool is ungracious and abusive,

and the gift of a grudging man makes the eyes dim.

19Before you speak, learn,

and before you fall ill, take care of your health.

20Before judgment, examine yourself,

and in the hour of visitation you will find forgiveness.

21Before falling ill, humble yourself,

and when you are on the point of sinning, turn back.

22Let nothing hinder you from paying a vow promptly,

and do not wait until death to be released from it.

23Before making a vow,c prepare yourself;

and do not be like a man who tempts the Lord.

24Think of his wrath on the day of death,

and of the moment of vengeance when he turns away his face.

25In the time of plenty think of the time of hunger;

in the days of wealth think of poverty and need.

26From morning to evening conditions change,

and all things move swiftly before the Lord.

27A wise man is cautious in everything,

and in days of sin he guards against wrongdoing.

28Every intelligent man knows wisdom,

and he praises the one who finds her.

29Those who understand sayings become skilled themselves,

and pour forth apt proverbs.

30Do not follow your base desires,

but restrain your appetites.

31If you allow your soul to take pleasure in base desire,

it will make you the laughingstock of your enemies.

32Do not revel in great luxury,

lest you become impoverished by its expense.

33Do not become a beggar by feasting with borrowed money,

when you have nothing in your purse.