Sirach · King James Version (with Apocrypha)
Sirach 16 King James Version (with Apocrypha)
1 Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons.
1 Don’t desire a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons.
2 Though they multiply, rejoice not in them, except the fear of the Lord be with them.
2 If they multiply, don’t delight in them unless the fear of the Lord is in them.
3 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.
3 Don’t trust in their life. Don’t rely on their numbers; for one can be better than a thousand, and to die childless than to have ungodly children.
4 For by one that hath understanding shall the city be replenished: but the kindred of the wicked shall speedily become desolate.
4 For from one who has understanding, a city will be populated, but a race of wicked men will be made desolate.
5 Many such things have I seen with mine eyes, and mine ear hath heard greater things than these.
5 I have seen many such things with my eyes. My ear has heard mightier things than these.
6 In the congregation of the ungodly shall a fire be kindled; and in a rebellious nation wrath is set on fire.
6 In a congregation of sinners, a fire will be kindled. In a disobedient nation, wrath is kindled.
7 He was not pacified toward the old giants, who fell away in the strength of their foolishness.
7 He was not pacified toward the giants of old time, who revolted in their strength.
8 Neither spared he the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for their pride.
8 He didn’t spare Lot’s neighbors, whom he abhorred for their pride.
9 He pitied not the people of perdition, who were taken away in their sins:
9 He didn’t pity the people of perdition who were taken away in their sins,
10 Nor the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.
10 or in like manner, the six hundred thousand footmen who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.
11 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.
11 Even if there is one stiff-necked person, it is a marvel if he will be unpunished; for mercy and wrath are both with him who is mighty to forgive, and he pours out wrath.
12 As his mercy is great, so is his correction also: he judgeth a man according to his works
12 As his mercy is great, so is his correction also. He judges a man according to his works.
13 The sinner shall not escape with his spoils: and the patience of the godly shall not be frustrate.
13 The sinner will not escape with plunder. The perseverance of the godly will not be frustrated.
14 Make way for every work of mercy: for every man shall find according to his works.
14 He will make room for every work of mercy. Each man will receive according to his works.
15 The Lord hardened Pharaoh, that he should not know him, that his powerful works might be known to the world.
15 Not in this translation
16 His mercy is manifest to every creature; and he hath separated his light from the darkness with an adamant.
16 Not in this translation
17 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?
17 Don’t say, “I will be hidden from the Lord,” and “Who will remember me from on high?” I will not be known among so many people, for what is my soul in a boundless creation?
18 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.
18 Behold, heaven, the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth, will be moved when he visits.
19 The mountains also and foundations of the earth be shaken with trembling, when the Lord looketh upon them.
19 The mountains and the foundations of the earth together are shaken with trembling when he looks at them.
20 No heart can think upon these things worthily: and who is able to conceive his ways?
20 No heart will think about these things. Who could comprehend his ways?
21 It is a tempest which no man can see: for the most part of his works are hid.
21 Like a tempest which no man can see, so, the majority of his works are hidden.
22 Who 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.
22 Who will declare his works of righteousness? Who will wait for them? For his covenant is afar off.
23 He that wanteth understanding will think upon vain things: and a foolish man erring imagineth follies.
23 He who is lacking in understanding thinks about these things. An unwise and erring man thinks foolishly.
24 My son, hearken unto me, and learn knowledge, and mark my words with thy heart.
24 My son, listen to me, learn knowledge, and heed my words with your heart.
25 I will shew forth doctrine in weight, and declare his knowledge exactly.
25 I will impart instruction with precision, and declare knowledge exactly.
26 The works of the Lord are done in judgment from the beginning: and from the time he made them he disposed the parts thereof.
26 In the judgment of the Lord are his works from the beginning. From the making of them he determined their boundaries.
27 He 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.
27 He arranged his works for all time, and their beginnings to their generations. They aren’t hungry or weary, and they don’t cease from their works.
28 None of them hindereth another, and they shall never disobey his word.
28 No one pushes aside his neighbor. They will never disobey his word.
29 After this the Lord looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings.
29 After this also the Lord looked at the earth and filled it with his blessings.
30 With all manner of living things hath he covered the face thereof; and they shall return into it again.
30 All manner of living things covered its surface, and they return into it.
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).
"For," as it is written, "God filled the earth with His good things." What is "His"?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 8 (1888)