English Bible
Sirach 16
Big screen- 1Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons.
- 2Though they multiply, rejoice not in them, except the fear of the Lord be with them.
- 3Trust not you 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.
- 4For by one that has understanding shall the city be replenished: but the kindred of the wicked shall speedily become desolate.
- 5Many such things have I seen with my eyes, and my ear has heard greater things than these.
- 6In the congregation of the ungodly shall a fire be kindled; and in a rebellious nation wrath is set on fire.
- 7He was not pacified toward the old giants, who fell away in the strength of their foolishness.
- 8Neither spared he the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for their pride.
- 9He pitied not the people of perdition, who were taken away in their sins:
- 10Nor the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.
- 11And if there be one stiff-necked 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.
- 12As his mercy is great, so is his correction also: he judges a man according to his works
- 13The sinner shall not escape with his spoils: and the patience of the godly shall not be frustrate.
- 14Make way for every work of mercy: for every man shall find according to his works.
- 15The Lord hardened Pharaoh, that he should not know him, that his powerful works might be known to the world.
- 16His mercy is manifest to every creature; and he has separated his light from the darkness with an adamant.
- 17Say not you, 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?
- 18Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth, and all that therein is, shall be moved when he shall visit.
- 19The mountains also and foundations of the earth be shaken with trembling, when the Lord looks upon them.
- 20No heart can think upon these things worthily: and who is able to conceive his ways?
- 21It is a tempest which no man can see: for the most part of his works are hid.
- 22Who 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.
- 23He that lacks understanding will think upon vain things: and a foolish man erring imagines follies.
- 24My son, listen to me, and learn knowledge, and mark my words with your heart.
- 25I will show forth doctrine in weight, and declare his knowledge exactly.
- 26The works of the Lord are done in judgment from the beginning: and from the time he made them he disposed the parts thereof.
- 27He garnished his works for ever, and in his hand are the chief of them to all generations: they neither labor, nor are weary, nor cease from their works.
- 28None of them hinders another, and they shall never disobey his word.
- 29After this the Lord looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings.
- 30With all manner of living things has he covered the face thereof; and they shall return into it again.