The Wisdom of Jesus the son of Sirach, Ecclesiasticus.
Chapter 16
1: Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons.
2: Though they multiply, rejoice not in them, except the fear of the Lord be with them.
3: Trust not thou in their life, neither respect their multitude: for one that is just is better than a thousand; and better it is to die without children, than to have them that are ungodly.
4: For by one that hath understanding shall the city be replenished: but the kindred of the wicked shall speedily become desolate.
5: Many such things have I seen with mine eyes, and mine ear hath heard greater things than these.
6: In the congregation of the ungodly shall a fire be kindled; and in a rebellious nation wrath is set on fire.
7: He was not pacified toward the old giants, who fell away in the strength of their foolishness.
8: Neither spared he the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for their pride.
9: He pitied not the people of perdition, who were taken away in their sins:
10: Nor the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.
11: And if there be one stiffnecked among the people, it is marvel if he escape unpunished: for mercy and wrath are with him; he is mighty to forgive, and to pour out displeasure.
12: As his mercy is great, so is his correction also: he judgeth a man according to his works
13: The sinner shall not escape with his spoils: and the patience of the godly shall not be frustrate.
14: Make way for every work of mercy: for every man shall find according to his works.
15: The Lord hardened Pharaoh, that he should not know him, that his powerful works might be known to the world.
16: His mercy is manifest to every creature; and he hath separated his light from the darkness with an adamant.
17: Say not thou, I will hide myself from the Lord: shall any remember me from above? I shall not be remembered among so many people: for what is my soul among such an infinite number of creatures?
18: Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth, and all that therein is, shall be moved when he shall visit.
19: The mountains also and foundations of the earth be shaken with trembling, when the Lord looketh upon them.
20: No heart can think upon these things worthily: and who is able to conceive his ways?
21: It is a tempest which no man can see: for the most part of his works are hid.
22: Who can declare the works of his justice? or who can endure them? for his covenant is afar off, and the trial of all things is in the end.
23: He that wanteth understanding will think upon vain things: and a foolish man erring imagineth follies.
24: by son, hearken unto me, and learn knowledge, and mark my words with thy heart.
25: I will shew forth doctrine in weight, and declare his knowledge exactly.
26: The works of the Lord are done in judgment from the beginning: and from the time he made them he disposed the parts thereof.
27: He garnished his works for ever, and in his hand are the chief of them unto all generations: they neither labour, nor are weary, nor cease from their works.
28: None of them hindereth another, and they shall never disobey his word.
29: After this the Lord looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings.
30: With all manner of living things hath he covered the face thereof; and they shall return into it again.