1 He that liveth for ever created all things together. God only shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king for ever. 2 Who is able to declare his works? 3 For who shall search out his glorious acts? 4 And who shall shew forth the power of his majesty? or who shall be able to declare his mercy? 5 Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to find out the glorious works of God: 6 When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth off, he shall be at a loss. 7 What is man, and what is his grace? and what is his good, or what is his evil? 8 The number of the days of men at the most are a hundred years: as a drop of water of the sea are they esteemed: and as a pebble of the sand, so are a few years compared to eternity. 9 Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them. 10 He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is wicked, and hath known their end that it is evil. 11 Therefore bath he filled up his mercy in their favour, and hath shewn them the way of justice. 12 The compassion of man is toward his neighbour: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh. 13 He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his hock. 14 He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and that maketh haste in his judgments. 15 My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou givest any thing, add not grief by an evil word. 16 Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so also the good word is better than the gift. 17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a justified man. 18 A fool will upbraid bitterly: and a gift of one ill taught consumeth the eyes. 19 Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou speak. 20 Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God. 21 Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness shew thy conversation. 22 Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth for ever. 23 Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God. 24 Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face. 25 Remember poverty is the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches. 26 From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God. 27 A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the days of sins will beware of sloth. 28 Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise to him that findeth her. 29 They that were of good understanding in words, have also done wisely themselves: and have understood truth and justice, and have poured forth proverbs and judgments. 30 Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from thy own will. 31 If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies. 32 Take no pleasure in riotous assemblies, be they ever so small: for their concertation is continual. 33 Make not thyself poor by borrowing to contribute to feasts when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt be an enemy to thy own life.
Sirach · Douay-Rheims (Challoner), American Edition 1899
Sirach 18 Douay-Rheims (Challoner), American Edition 1899
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
I heard another voice of Thine, "Go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites." And by Thy favour have I heard this saying likewise, which I have much delighted in, "Neither if we eat, are we the better; neither if we eat not, are we the worse;" which is to say, that neither shall the one make …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)
"For a word," it is said, "is better than a gift." Dost thou not consider that thou art thrusting the sword into thyself, and art receiving a more grievous wound, when he, being reviled, silently withdraws, with groans and many tears?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
"For a word is a better thing than a gift," and "answer the poor man peaceably with meekness." And all the rest of thy time too adorn it with the rehearsing of the laws of God; "Yea, let all thy communication be in the law of the Most High." Having thus adorned ourselves, let us come to our King, and …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
"Go not," it is said, "after thy lusts, and refrain thyself from thine appetites." And, touching an harlot again, it is said in opposition to this proverb, "Give not heed to a bad woman: for honey droppeth from the lips of a woman that is an harlot, which, for a season, is luscious unto thy throat; but afterwards thou shalt …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)