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The Book of Jesus Sirach

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- Chapter 16 -

It is better to have none than many wicked children. Of the justice and mercy of God. His ways are unsearchable.

1
You should not rejoice in impious children, if they are successful; nor should you take delight in them, if the fear of God is not in them.
2
You should not approve of their life, nor should you look with favor on their labors.
3
For one child who fears God is better than one thousand impious children.
4
And it is better to die without children, than to leave behind impious children.
5
By means of one person with understanding, a country will be inhabited. The tribe of the impious will become desolate.
6
Many such things my eyes have seen, and greater things than these my ear has heard.
7
In the synagogue of sinners, a fire will blaze forth; and amid an unbelieving people, wrath will flare up.(a)
8
The giants of antiquity did not obtain pardon for their sins; they were destroyed by trusting in their own abilities.
9
And he did not spare the place of Lot’s sojourn, and he abhorred them because of the arrogance of their words.
10
He did not take pity on them, destroying an entire people, who even extolled themselves concerning their sins.
11
And this was so with six hundred thousand men, who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts. And if even a single obstinate person had escaped unpunished, it would be a wonder.(b)
12
For mercy and wrath are with him. He is powerful in forgiveness, and he pours forth wrath.
13
As is his mercy, so also is his correction; he judges a man according to his works.
14
The sinner, in his violations, will not escape; but the patience of the One who shows mercy will not be diminished.
15
Every mercy will make a place for each man, according to the merit of his works, and according to the understanding of his sojourn.
16
You should not say: “I am hidden from God,” or, “Who, from on high, will take note of me?”
17
or, “Among a great number of people, I will not be noticed. For what is my soul amid such an immense creation?”
18
Behold: the heavens, and the heaven of the heavens, the abyss, and the entire earth, and the things that are within these, will be shaken by his gaze,
19
together with mountains and hills, and the foundations of the earth. When God casts his gaze upon them, they will be struck with trembling.
20
And concerning all these things, the heart is without understanding; but every heart is understood by him.
21
And who will understand his ways, or the tempest, which no eye of man will see?
22
For many of his works are concealed. But who will announce the works of his justice? Or who will endure them? For the testament is far from some persons, and the examination of each thing is in its end.
23
Whoever diminishes the heart, thinks empty thoughts. For the imprudent and erring man thinks up foolishness.
24
Listen to me, son, and learn the discipline of understanding, and attend to my words in your heart.
25
And I will speak with equity about discipline, and I will strive to announce wisdom. So attend to my words in your heart, and I will speak with equity of spirit, about the virtues that God has set within his works from the beginning, and I will announce his knowledge in truth.
26
With the judgment of God, his works have been done from the beginning; and from their institution, he himself distinguished their parts and set their beginnings, in their kinds.
27
He has beautified their works unto eternity. They have neither hungered, nor labored, and they have not ceased from their works.
28
Neither will any one of them cause anguish to his neighbor, forever.
29
You should not be incredulous at his word.
30
Afterward, God looked with favor upon the earth, and he filled it with his goodness.
31
The soul of every living thing brought word from before his face, and their return again is to him.(c)

Footnotes

(a)16:7 This verse is a figure of the Antichrist, who will obtain support from sinful Jews, and of the false prophetess, who will obtain support from unbelieving Christians.(Conte)
(b)16:11 Six hundred thousand footmen, etc:Viz., the children of Israel, whom he sentenced to die in the wilderness. Num. 14.(Challoner)
(c)16:31 Shown forth:Viz., the glory and power of God upon the earth.(Challoner)

It is better to have none than many wicked children. Of the justice and mercy of God. His ways are unsearchable.

1
Don’t desire a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons.
2
If they multiply, don’t delight in them unless the fear of the Lord is in them.
3
Don’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.
4
For from one who has understanding, a city will be populated, but a race of wicked men will be made desolate.
5
I have seen many such things with my eyes. My ear has heard mightier things than these.
6
In a congregation of sinners, a fire will be kindled. In a disobedient nation, wrath is kindled.
7
He was not pacified toward the giants of old time, who revolted in their strength.
8
He didn’t spare Lot’s neighbors, whom he abhorred for their pride.
9
He didn’t pity the people of perdition who were taken away in their sins,
10
or in like manner, the six hundred thousand footmen who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.
11
Even 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.
12
As his mercy is great, so is his correction also. He judges a man according to his works.
13
The sinner will not escape with plunder. The perseverance of the godly will not be frustrated.
14
He will make room for every work of mercy. Each man will receive according to his works.
15
(a)
16
(b)
17
Don’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?
18
Behold, the heaven, the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth, will be moved when he visits.
19
The mountains and the foundations of the earth together are shaken with trembling when he looks at them.
20
No heart will think about these things. Who could comprehend his ways?
21
Like a tempest which no man can see, so, the majority of his works are(c) hidden.
22
Who will declare his works of righteousness? Who will wait for them? For his covenant is afar off.(d)
23
He who is lacking in(e) understanding thinks about these things. An unwise and erring man thinks foolishly.
24
My son, listen to me, learn knowledge, and heed my words with your heart.
25
I will impart instruction with precision, and declare knowledge exactly.
26
In the judgment of the Lord are his works from the beginning. From the making of them he determined their boundaries.
27
He 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.
28
No one pushes aside his neighbor. They will never disobey his word.
29
After this also the Lord looked at the earth and filled it with his blessings.
30
All manner of living things covered its surface, and they return into it.

Footnotes

(a)16:15 Verses 15 and 16 are omitted by the best authorities.
(b)16:15 Verses 15 and 16 are omitted by the best authorities.
(c)16:21 Gr. among hidden things.
(d)16:22 The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.
(e)16:23 Gr. heart.
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