Skip to content
Apoteichisis

The Old Testament

Wisdom of Sirach 32

ΣΟΦΙΑ ΣΕΙΡΑΧ · 32

Brenton 32:1

He that keepeth the law bringeth offerings enough: he that taketh heed to the commandment offereth a peace offering.

Brenton 32:2

He that requiteth a good turn offereth fine flour; and he that giveth alms sacrificeth praise.

Brenton 32:3

To depart from wickedness is a thing pleasing to the Lord; and to forsake unrighteousness is a propitiation.

Brenton 32:4

Thou shalt not appear empty before the Lord.

Brenton 32:5

For all these things [are to be done] because of the commandment.

Brenton 32:6

The offering of the righteous maketh the altar fat, and the sweet savour thereof is before the most High.

Brenton 32:7

The sacrifice of a just man is acceptable, and the memorial thereof shall never be forgotten.

Brenton 32:8

Give the Lord his honour with a good eye, and diminish not the firstfruits of thine hands.

Brenton 32:9

In all thy gifts shew a cheerful countenance, and dedicate thy tithes with gladness.

Brenton 32:10

Give unto the most High according as he hath enriched thee; and as thou hast gotten, give with a cheerful eye.

Brenton 32:11

For the Lord recompenseth, and will give thee seven times as much.

Brenton 32:12

Do not think to corrupt with gifts: for such he will not receive: and trust not to unrighteous sacrifices; for the Lord is judge, and with him is no respect of persons.

Brenton 32:13

He will not accept any person against a poor man, but will hear the prayer of the oppressed.

Brenton 32:14

He will not despise the supplication of the fatherless; nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint.

Brenton 32:15

Do not the tears run down the widow's cheeks? and is not her cry against him that causeth them to fall?

Brenton 32:16

He that serveth the Lord shall be accepted with favour, and his prayer shall reach unto the clouds.

Brenton 32:17

The prayer of the humble pierceth the clouds: and till it come nigh, he will not be comforted; and will not depart, till the most High shall behold to judge righteously, and execute judgment.

Brenton 32:18

For the Lord will not be slack, neither will the Mighty be patient toward them, till he have smitten in sunder the loins of the unmerciful, and repayed vengeance to the heathen; till he have taken away the multitude of the proud, and broken the sceptre of the unrighteous;

Brenton 32:19

till he have rendered to every man according to his deeds, and to the works of men according to their devices; till he have judged the cause of his people, and made them to rejoice in his mercy.

Brenton 32:20

Mercy is seasonable in the time of affliction, as clouds of rain in the time of drought.

Brenton supplied wording, small capitals, translation notes, Greek wording, and edition-specific verse identifiers are retained. Parallel passages keep each edition's own references. Editions and sources.