Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Chapter 16

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 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. ⁴For by one that hath understanding shall the city be replenished: but the kindred of the wicked shall speedily become desolate. ⁵Many such things have I seen with mine eyes, and mine ear hath 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 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. ¹²As his mercy is great, so is his correction also: he judgeth 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 hath separated his light from the darkness with an adamant.

¹⁷Say 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? 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 looketh 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 wanteth understanding will think upon vain things: and a foolish man erring imagineth follies. ²⁴My son, hearken unto me, and learn knowledge, and mark my words with thy heart.

²⁵I will shew 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 unto all generations: they neither labour, nor are weary, nor cease from their works. ²⁸None of them hindereth 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 hath he covered the face thereof; and they shall return into it again.