Wisdom of Sirach 16

Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons.

Μὴ ἐπιθύμει τέκνων πλῆθος ἀχρήστων, μὴ εὐφραίνου ἐπὶ υἱοῖς ἀσεβέσιν.

Though they multiply, rejoice not in them, except the fear of the Lord be with them.

Ἐὰν πληθύνωσι, μὴ εὐφραίνου ἐπʼ αὐτοῖς, εἰ μή ἐστι φόβος Κυρίου μετʼ αὐτῶν.

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.

Μὴ ἐμπιστεύσῃς τῇ ζωῇ αὐτῶν, καὶ μὴ ἔπεχε ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον αὐτῶν· κρείσσων γὰρ εἷς ἢ χίλιοι, καὶ ἀποθανεῖν ἄτεκνον ἢ ἔχειν τέκνα ἀσεβῆ·

For by one that hath understanding shall the city be replenished: but the kindred of the wicked shall speedily become desolate.

ἀπὸ γὰρ ἑνὸς συνετοῦ συνοικισθήσεται πόλις, φυλὴ δὲ ἀνόμων ἐρημωθήσεται.

Many such things have I seen with mine eyes, and mine ear hath heard greater things than these.

Πολλὰ τοιαῦτα ἑώρακα ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς μου, καὶ ἰσχυρότερα τούτων ἀκήκοε τὸ οὖς μου.

In the congregation of the ungodly shall a fire be kindled; and in a rebellious nation wrath is set on fire.

Ἐν συναγωγῇ ἁμαρτωλῶν ἐκκαυθήσεται πῦρ, καὶ ἐν ἔθνει ἀπειθεῖ ἐξεκαύθη ὀργή.

He was not pacified toward the old giants, who fell away in the strength of their foolishness.

Οὐκ ἐξιλάσατο περὶ τῶν ἀρχαίων γιγάντων, οἳ ἀπέστησαν τῇ ἰσχύϊ αὐτῶν.

Neither spared he the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for their pride.

Οὐκ ἐφείσατο περὶ τῆς παροικίας Λὼτ, οὓς ἐβδελύξατο διὰ τὴν ὑπερηφανίαν αὐτῶν.

He pitied not the people of perdition, who were taken away in their sins:

Οὐκ ἠλέησεν ἔθνος ἀπωλείας, τοὺς ἐξῃρμένους ἐν ἁμαρτίαις αὐτῶν·

nor the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.

καὶ οὕτως ἑξακοσίας χιλιάδας πεζῶν τοὺς ἐπισυναχθέντας ἐν σκληροκαρδίᾳ αὐτῶν.

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.

Κᾂν ᾖ εἷς σκληροτράχηλος, θαυμαστὸν, τοῦτο εἰ ἀθωωθήσεται, ἔλεος γὰρ καὶ ὀργὴ παρʼ αὐτοῦ· δυνάστης ἐξιλασμῶν· καὶ ἐκχέων ὀργήν.

As his mercy is great, so is his correction also: he judgeth a man according to his works.

Κατὰ τὸ πολὺ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ, οὕτως καὶ πολὺς ὁ ἔλεγχος αὐτοῦ· ἄνδρα κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ κρίνει.

The sinner shall not escape with his spoils: and the patience of the godly shall not be frustrate.

Οὐκ ἐκφεύξεται ἐν ἁρπάγμασιν ἁμαρτωλὸς, καὶ οὐ μὴ καθυστερήσει ὑπομονὴν εὐσεβοῦς.

Make way for every work of mercy: for every man shall find according to his works.

Πάσῃ ἐλεημοσύνῃ ποιήσει τόπον, ἕκαστος κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ εὑρήσει.

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?

Μὴ εἴπῃς, ὅτι ἀπὸ Κυρίου κρυβήσομαι, μὴ ἐξ ὕψους τίς μου μνησθήσεται; ἐν λαῷ πλείονι οὐ μὴ μνησθῶ, τίς γὰρ ἡ ψυχή μου ἐν ἀμετρήτῳ κτίσει;

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.

Ἰδοὺ ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ὁ οὐρανὸς τοῦ οὐρανοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἄβυσσος καὶ γῆ σαλευθήσονται ἐν τῇ ἐπισκοπῇ αὐτοῦ·

The mountains also and foundations of the earth shall be shaken with trembling, when he looketh upon them.

ἅμα τὰ ὄρη καὶ τὰ θεμέλια τῆς γῆς, ἐν τῷ ἐπιβλέψαι εἰς αὐτὰ, τρόμῳ συσσείονται,

No heart can think upon these things worthily: and who is able to conceive his ways?

καὶ ἐπʼ αὐτοῖς οὐ διανοηθήσεται καρδία· καὶ τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ τίς ἐνθυμηθήσεται;

It is a tempest which no man can see: for the most part of his works are hid.

Καὶ καταιγὶς, ἣν οὐκ ὄψεται ἄνθρωπος, τὰ δὲ πλείονα τῶν ἔργων αὐτοῦ ἐν ἀποκρύφοις.

Who can declare the works of his justice? or who can endure them? for his covenant is afar off.

Ἔργα δικαιοσύνης τίς ἀναγγελεῖ, ἢ τίς ὑπομενεῖ; μακρὰν γὰρ ἡ διαθήκη.

He that wanteth understanding will think upon vain things: and a foolish man erring imagineth follies.

Ἐλαττούμενος καρδίᾳ διανοεῖται ταῦτα, καὶ ἀνὴρ ἄφρων καὶ πλανώμενος διανοεῖται μωρά.

My son, hearken unto me, and learn knowledge, and mark my words with thy heart.

Ἄκουσόν μου, τέκνον, καὶ μάθε ἐπιστήμην, καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν λόγων μου πρόσεχε τῇ καρδίᾳ σου.

I will shew forth doctrine in weight, and declare his knowledge exactly.

Ἐκφαίνω ἐν σταθμῷ παιδείαν, καὶ ἐν ἀκριβείᾳ ἀπαγγέλλω ἐπιστήμην.

The works of the Lord are done in judgment from the beginning: and from the time he made them he disposed the parts thereof.

Ἐν κρίσει Κυρίου τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς, καὶ ἀπὸ ποιήσεως αὐτῶν διέστειλε μερίδας αὐτῶν.

He garnished his works for ever, and the chief of them unto all generations: they neither labour, nor are weary, nor cease from their works.

Ἐκόσμησεν εἰς αἰῶνα τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὰς ἀρχὰς αὐτῶν εἰς γενεὰς αὐτῶν· οὔτε ἐπείνασαν, οὔτε ἐκοπίασαν, καὶ οὐκ ἐξέλιπον ἀπὸ τῶν ἔργων αὐτων.

None of them hindereth another, and they shall never disobey his word.

Ἕκαστος τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔθλιψε, καὶ ἕως αἰῶνος οὐκ ἀπειθήσουσι τοῦ ῥήματος αὐτοῦ·

After this the Lord looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings.

καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα Κύριος εἰς τὴν γῆν ἐπέβλεψε, καὶ ἐνέπλησεν αὐτὴν τῶν ἀγαθῶν αὐτοῦ.

With all manner of living things hath he covered the face thereof; and they shall return into it again.

Ψυχὴν παντὸς ζώου ἐκάλυψε τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτῆς, καὶ εἰς αὐτὴν ἡ ἀποστροφὴ αὐτῶν.