God's New Bible

The Book of Jesus Sirach

Catholic Public Domain :: World English Bible Catholic

- Chapter 35 -

What sacrifices are pleasing to God.

1
Whoever observes the law multiplies oblations.
2
It is a salutary sacrifice to attend to the commandments and to withdraw from all iniquity.
3
And to depart from injustice is to offer a propitiatory sacrifice for injustices and a supplication for sins.
4
Whoever gives thanks, offers a gift of fine flour, and whoever acts with mercy, offers a sacrifice.
5
To withdraw from iniquity is well-pleasing to the Lord. And to withdraw from injustice is a supplication for sins.
6
You should not appear empty before the sight of the Lord.
7
For all these things are to be done because of the commandment of God.
8
The oblation of the just fattens the altar, and is a fragrance of sweetness in the sight of the Most High.
9
The sacrifice of the just is acceptable, and the Lord will never forget the memorial of it.
10
Render glory to God with a good heart. And you should not reduce the first-fruits of your hands.
11
With every gift, have a cheerful countenance, and sanctify your tithes with exultation.
12
Give to the Most High according to his gifts to you, and act with a good eye toward the creations of your hands.
13
For the Lord gives recompense, and he will repay you seven times as much.
14
Do not be willing to offer corrupt gifts. For he will not accept them.
15
And do not be willing to consider an unjust sacrifice. For the Lord is the judge, and with him there is no favoritism toward anyone.
16
The Lord will not accept favoritism against the poor, but he will heed the prayer of one who has been harmed.
17
He will not despise the prayers of the orphan, nor of the widow, if she utters a lamenting complaint.
18
Do a widow’s tears not run down her cheek? And will her outcry not cause their downfall?
19
For from her cheek, her tears ascend even to heaven. And the Lord, the One who listens, will not take delight in them.
20
Whoever adores God with joy will be accepted, and his prayer will reach even to the clouds.
21
The prayer of one who humbles himself will pierce the clouds. And it will not be consoled until it draws near; and it will not withdraw until the Most High beholds.
22
And the Lord will not delay, and he will judge for those who are just, and he will accomplish judgment. And the Almighty will not have patience with them, so that he may crush their back.
23
And he will repay vengeance to the Gentiles, until he has taken away the multitude of the arrogant, and broken the scepters of the iniquitous,
24
until he has rendered to men according to their deeds, and according to the works of Adam, and according to his presumption,
25
until he has judged the judgment of his people. And he will delight the just with his mercy.
26
The mercy of God is beautiful in the time of tribulation, like a rain cloud in the time of drought.

What sacrifices are pleasing to God.

1
He who keeps the law multiplies offerings. He who heeds the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
2
He who returns a kindness offers fine flour. He who gives alms sacrifices a thank offering.
3
To depart from wickedness pleases the Lord. To depart from unrighteousness is an atoning sacrifice.
4
See that you don’t appear in the presence of the Lord empty.
5
For all these things are done because of the commandment.
6
The offering of the righteous enriches the altar. The sweet fragrance of it is before the Most High.
7
The sacrifice of a righteous man is acceptable. It won’t be forgotten.
8
Glorify the Lord with generosity. Don’t reduce the first fruits of your hands.
9
In every gift show a cheerful countenance, And dedicate your tithe with gladness.
10
Give to the Most High according as he has given. As your hand has found, give generously.
11
For the Lord repays, and he will repay you sevenfold.
12
Don’t plan to bribe him with gifts, for he will not receive them. Don’t set your mind on an unrighteous sacrifice, For the Lord is the judge, and with him is no respect of persons.
13
He won’t accept any person against a poor man. He will listen to the prayer of him who is wronged.
14
He will in no way despise the supplication of the fatherless or the widow, when she pours out her tale.
15
Don’t the tears of the widow run down her cheek? Isn’t her cry against him who has caused them to fall?
16
He who serves God according to his good pleasure will be accepted. His supplication will reach to the clouds.
17
The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds. until it comes near, he will not be comforted. He won’t depart until the Most High visits and he judges righteously and executes judgment.
18
And the Lord will not be slack, neither will he be patient toward them, until he has crushed the loins of the unmerciful. He will repay vengeance to the heathen until he has taken away the multitude of the arrogant and broken in pieces the sceptres of the unrighteous,
19
until he has rendered to every man according to his deeds, and repaid the works of men according to their plans, until he has judged the cause of his people, and he will make them rejoice in his mercy.
20
Mercy is as welcome in the time of his affliction, as clouds of rain in the time of drought.