Sirach 16 – search, read, and compare multiple versions of the Bible
World English Bible Classic
[1] Don’t desire a multitude of unprofitable children,
neither delight in ungodly sons.
[2] If they multiply, don’t delight in them
unless the fear of the Lord is in them.
[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 from one who has understanding, a city will be populated,
but a race of wicked men will be made desolate.
[5] I have seen many such things with my eyes.
My ear has heard mightier things than these. [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 giants of old time,
who revolted in their strength.
[8] He didn’t spare Lot’s neighbors,
whom he abhorred for their pride.
[9] He didn’t pity the people of perdition
who were taken away in their sins,
[10] or in like manner, the six hundred thousand footmen
who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.
[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 judges a man according to his works.
[13] The sinner will not escape with plunder.
The perseverance of the godly will not be frustrated.
[14] He will make room for every work of mercy.
Each man will receive according to his works. [15] -16ⓘ …[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, heaven, the heaven of heavens,
the deep, and the earth, will be moved when he visits.
[19] The mountains and the foundations of the earth together
are shaken with trembling when he looks at them.
[20] No heart will think about these things.
Who could comprehend his ways?
[21] Like a tempest which no man can see,
so, the majority of his works are§ hidden.
[22] Who will declare his works of righteousness?
Who will wait for them?
For his covenant is afar off.ⓘ
[23] He who is lacking in§ understanding thinks about these things.
An unwise and erring man thinks foolishly. [24] My son, listen to me, learn knowledge,
and heed my words with your heart.
[25] I will impart instruction with precision,
and declare knowledge exactly. [26] In the judgment of the Lord are his works from the beginning.
From the making of them he determined their boundaries.
[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] No one pushes aside his neighbor.
They will never disobey his word.
[29] After this also the Lord looked at the earth
and filled it with his blessings.
[30] All manner of living things covered its surface,
and they return into it.
neither delight in ungodly sons.
[2] If they multiply, don’t delight in them
unless the fear of the Lord is in them.
[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 from one who has understanding, a city will be populated,
but a race of wicked men will be made desolate.
[5] I have seen many such things with my eyes.
My ear has heard mightier things than these. [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 giants of old time,
who revolted in their strength.
[8] He didn’t spare Lot’s neighbors,
whom he abhorred for their pride.
[9] He didn’t pity the people of perdition
who were taken away in their sins,
[10] or in like manner, the six hundred thousand footmen
who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.
[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 judges a man according to his works.
[13] The sinner will not escape with plunder.
The perseverance of the godly will not be frustrated.
[14] He will make room for every work of mercy.
Each man will receive according to his works. [15] -16ⓘ …[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, heaven, the heaven of heavens,
the deep, and the earth, will be moved when he visits.
[19] The mountains and the foundations of the earth together
are shaken with trembling when he looks at them.
[20] No heart will think about these things.
Who could comprehend his ways?
[21] Like a tempest which no man can see,
so, the majority of his works are§ hidden.
[22] Who will declare his works of righteousness?
Who will wait for them?
For his covenant is afar off.ⓘ
[23] He who is lacking in§ understanding thinks about these things.
An unwise and erring man thinks foolishly. [24] My son, listen to me, learn knowledge,
and heed my words with your heart.
[25] I will impart instruction with precision,
and declare knowledge exactly. [26] In the judgment of the Lord are his works from the beginning.
From the making of them he determined their boundaries.
[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] No one pushes aside his neighbor.
They will never disobey his word.
[29] After this also the Lord looked at the earth
and filled it with his blessings.
[30] All manner of living things covered its surface,
and they return into it.
Footnotes
- ⓘ 16:15 Verses 15 and 16 are omitted by the best authorities.
- § 16:21 Gr. among hidden things.
- ⓘ 16:22 The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.
- § 16:23 Gr. heart.
King James Version
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Septuaginta
Septuaginta, in place of Byzantine Greek New Testament
[1] Μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) ἐπιθύμει G1937 (V-PAM-2S) τέκνων G5043 (N-GPN) πλῆθος G4128 (N-ASN) ἀχρήστων G890 (A-GPN) μηδὲ G3366 (CONJ-N) εὐφραίνου G2165 (V-PPM-2S) ἐπὶ G1909 (PREP) υἱοῖς G5207 (N-DPM) ἀσεβέσιν· G765 (A-DPM) [2] ἐὰν G1437 (COND) πληθύνωσιν, G4129 (V-PAS-3P) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) εὐφραίνου G2165 (V-PPM-2S) ἐπ’ G1909 (PREP) αὐτοῖς, G846 (P-DPM) εἰ G1487 (COND) μή G3361 (PRT-N) ἐστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) φόβος G5401 (N-NSM) κυρίου G2962 (N-GSM) μετ’ G3326 (PREP) αὐτῶν. G846 (P-GPM) [3] Μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) ἐμπιστεύσῃς (V-AAS-2S) τῇ G3588 (T-DSF) ζωῇ G2222 (N-DSF) αὐτῶν G846 (P-GPM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) ἔπεχε G1907 (V-PAM-2S) ἐπὶ G1909 (PREP) τὸ G3588 (T-ASN) πλῆθος G4128 (N-ASN) αὐτῶν· G846 (P-GPM) κρείσσων G2908 (A-NSM-C) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) εἷς G1520 (A-NSM) ἢ G2228 (PRT) χίλιοι G5507 (A-NPM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀποθανεῖν G599 (V-2AAN) ἄτεκνον G815 (A-ASM) ἢ G2228 (PRT) ἔχειν G2192 (V-PAN) τέκνα G5043 (N-APN) ἀσεβῆ. G765 (A-ASM) [4] Ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) ἑνὸς G1520 (A-GSM) συνετοῦ G4908 (A-GSM) συνοικισθήσεται (V-FPI-3S) πόλις, G4172 (N-NSF) φυλὴ G5443 (N-NSF) δὲ G1161 (CONJ) ἀνόμων G459 (A-GPM) ἐρημωθήσεται. G2049 (V-FPI-3S) [5] Πολλὰ G4183 (A-APN) τοιαῦτα G5108 (D-APN) ἑόρακεν (V-RAI-3S) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) ὀφθαλμός G3788 (N-NSM) μου, G3450 (P-1GS) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἰσχυρότερα G2478 (A-APN-C) τούτων G5130 (D-GPN) ἀκήκοεν G191 (V-RAI-3S) τὸ G3588 (T-NSN) οὖς G3775 (N-NSN) μου. G3450 (P-1GS) [6] Ἐν G1722 (PREP) συναγωγῇ G4864 (N-DSF) ἁμαρτωλῶν G268 (A-GPM) ἐκκαυθήσεται G1572 (V-FPI-3S) πῦρ, G4442 (N-NSN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ἔθνει G1484 (N-DSN) ἀπειθεῖ G545 (A-DSN) ἐξεκαύθη G1572 (V-API-3S) ὀργή. G3709 (N-NSF) [7] Οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἐξιλάσατο (V-AMI-3S) περὶ G4012 (PREP) τῶν G3588 (T-GPM) ἀρχαίων G744 (A-GPM) γιγάντων, (N-GPM) οἳ G3739 (R-NPM) ἀπέστησαν G868 (V-2AAI-3P) τῇ G3588 (T-DSF) ἰσχύι G2479 (N-DSF) αὐτῶν· G846 (P-GPM) [8] οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἐφείσατο G5339 (V-ADI-3S) περὶ G4012 (PREP) τῆς G3588 (T-GSF) παροικίας G3940 (N-GSF) Λωτ, G3091 (N-PRI) οὓς G3739 (R-APM) ἐβδελύξατο (V-2AMI-3S) διὰ G1223 (PREP) τὴν G3588 (T-ASF) ὑπερηφανίαν G5243 (N-ASF) αὐτῶν· G846 (P-GPM) [9] οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἠλέησεν G1653 (V-AAI-3S) ἔθνος G1484 (N-ASN) ἀπωλείας G684 (N-GSF) τοὺς G3588 (T-APM) ἐξηρμένους G1808 (V-AMP-APM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ἁμαρτίαις G266 (N-DPF) αὐτῶν G846 (P-GPM) [10] καὶ G2532 (CONJ) οὕτως G3779 (ADV) ἑξακοσίας G1812 (A-APF) χιλιάδας G5505 (N-APF) πεζῶν (A-GPM) τοὺς G3588 (T-APM) ἐπισυναχθέντας G1996 (V-APP-APM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) σκληροκαρδίᾳ G4641 (N-DSF) αὐτῶν. G846 (P-GPM) [11] Κἂν G2579 (COND-K) ᾖ G5600 (V-PAS-3S) εἷς G1520 (A-NSM) σκληροτράχηλος, G4644 (A-NSM) θαυμαστὸν G2298 (A-NSN) τοῦτο G5124 (D-NSN) εἰ G1487 (COND) ἀθῳωθήσεται· (V-FPI-3S) ἔλεος G1656 (N-NSN) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ὀργὴ G3709 (N-NSF) παρ’ G3844 (PREP) αὐτῷ, G846 (P-DSM) δυνάστης G1413 (N-NSM) ἐξιλασμῶν (N-GPM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐκχέων G1632 (V-PAP-NSM) ὀργήν. G3709 (N-ASF) [12] Κατὰ G2596 (PREP) τὸ G3588 (T-ASN) πολὺ G4183 (A-ASN) ἔλεος G1656 (N-ASN) αὐτοῦ, G846 (P-GSM) οὕτως G3779 (ADV) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) πολὺς G4183 (A-NSM) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) ἔλεγχος G1650 (N-NSM) αὐτοῦ· G846 (P-GSM) ἄνδρα G435 (N-ASM) κατὰ G2596 (PREP) τὰ G3588 (T-APN) ἔργα G2041 (N-APN) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) κρινεῖ. G2919 (V-FAI-3S) [13] Οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἐκφεύξεται G1628 (V-FMI-3S) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ἁρπάγματι (N-DSN) ἁμαρτωλός, G268 (A-NSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) οὐ G3756 (PRT-N) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) καθυστερήσει (V-FAI-3S) ὑπομονὴ G5281 (N-NSF) εὐσεβοῦς. G2152 (A-GSM) [14] Πάσῃ G3956 (A-DSF) ἐλεημοσύνῃ G1654 (N-DSF) ποιήσει G4160 (V-FAI-3S) τόπον, G5117 (N-ASM) ἕκαστος G1538 (A-NSM) κατὰ G2596 (PREP) τὰ G3588 (T-APN) ἔργα G2041 (N-APN) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) εὑρήσει. G2147 (V-FAI-3S) …[17] Μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) εἴπῃς (V-2AAS-2S) ὅτι G3754 (CONJ) Ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) κυρίου G2962 (N-GSM) κρυβήσομαι, G2928 (V-FPI-1S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐξ G1537 (PREP) ὕψους G5311 (N-GSN) τίς G5101 (I-NSM) μου G3450 (P-1GS) μνησθήσεται; (V-FPI-3S) Ἐν G1722 (PREP) λαῷ G2992 (N-DSM) πλείονι G4119 (A-DSM-C) οὐ G3756 (PRT-N) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) γνωσθῶ, G1097 (V-APS-1S) τίς G5101 (I-NSM) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) ἡ G3588 (T-NSF) ψυχή G5590 (N-NSF) μου G3450 (P-1GS) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ἀμετρήτῳ (A-DSF) κτίσει; G2937 (N-DSF) [18] Ἰδοὺ G2400 (V-2AMM-2S) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) οὐρανὸς G3772 (N-NSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) οὐρανὸς G3772 (N-NSM) τοῦ G3588 (T-GSM) οὐρανοῦ, G3772 (N-GSM) ἄβυσσος G12 (N-NSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) γῆ G1093 (N-NSF) ἐν G1722 (PREP) τῇ G3588 (T-DSF) ἐπισκοπῇ G1984 (N-DSF) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) σαλευθήσονται· G4531 (V-FPI-3S) [19] ἅμα G260 (ADV) τὰ G3588 (T-NPN) ὄρη G3735 (N-NPN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) τὰ G3588 (T-NPN) θεμέλια G2310 (N-NPN) τῆς G3588 (T-GSF) γῆς G1093 (N-GSF) ἐν G1722 (PREP) τῷ G3588 (T-DSN) ἐπιβλέψαι G1914 (V-AAN) εἰς G1519 (PREP) αὐτὰ G846 (P-APN) τρόμῳ G5156 (N-DSM) συσσείονται. (V-PEI-3P) [20] Καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐπ’ G1909 (PREP) αὐτοῖς G846 (P-DPN) οὐ G3756 (PRT-N) διανοηθήσεται (V-FPI-3S) καρδία, G2588 (N-NSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) τὰς G3588 (T-APF) ὁδοὺς G3598 (N-APF) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) τίς G5101 (I-NSM) ἐνθυμηθήσεται; G1760 (V-FPI-3S) [21] Καὶ G2532 (CONJ) καταιγίς, (N-NSF) ἣν G3739 (R-ASF) οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ὄψεται G3700 (V-FDI-3S) ἄνθρωπος, G444 (N-NSM) τὰ G3588 (T-NPN) δὲ G1161 (CONJ) πλείονα G4119 (A-NPN-C) τῶν G3588 (T-GPN) ἔργων G2041 (N-GPN) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ἀποκρύφοις. G614 (A-DPM) [22] Ἔργα G2041 (N-APN) δικαιοσύνης G1343 (N-GSF) τίς G5101 (I-NSF) ἀναγγελεῖ; G312 (V-FAI-3S) Ἢ G2228 (PRT) τίς G5101 (I-NSM) ὑπομενεῖ; G5278 (V-FAI-3S) Μακρὰν G3112 (ADV) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) ἡ G3588 (T-NSF) διαθήκη. G1242 (N-NSF) [23] Ἐλαττούμενος G1642 (V-PEP-NSM) καρδίᾳ G2588 (N-DSF) διανοεῖται (V-PEI-3S) ταῦτα, G5023 (D-APN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀνὴρ G435 (N-NSM) ἄφρων G878 (A-NSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) πλανώμενος G4105 (V-PEP-NSM) διανοεῖται (V-PEI-3S) μωρά. G3474 (A-APN) [24] Ἄκουσόν G191 (V-AAM-2S) μου, G3450 (P-1GS) τέκνον, G5043 (N-VSN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μάθε G3129 (V-2AAM-2S) ἐπιστήμην (N-ASF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐπὶ G1909 (PREP) τῶν G3588 (T-GPM) λόγων G3056 (N-GPM) μου G3450 (P-1GS) πρόσεχε G4337 (V-PAM-2S) τῇ G3588 (T-DSF) καρδίᾳ G2588 (N-DSF) σου· G4675 (P-2GS) [25] ἐκφανῶ (V-FAI-1S) ἐν G1722 (PREP) σταθμῷ (N-DSM) παιδείαν G3809 (N-ASF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ἀκριβείᾳ G195 (N-DSF) ἀπαγγελῶ G518 (V-FAI-1S) ἐπιστήμην. (N-ASF) [26] Ἐν G1722 (PREP) κρίσει G2920 (N-DSF) κυρίου G2962 (N-GSM) τὰ G3588 (T-NPN) ἔργα G2041 (N-NPN) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) ἀπ’ G575 (PREP) ἀρχῆς, G746 (N-GSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) ποιήσεως G4162 (N-GSF) αὐτῶν G846 (P-GPN) διέστειλεν (V-AAI-3S) μερίδας G3310 (N-APF) αὐτῶν. G846 (P-GPN) [27] Ἐκόσμησεν G2885 (V-AAI-3S) εἰς G1519 (PREP) αἰῶνα G165 (N-ASM) τὰ G3588 (T-APN) ἔργα G2041 (N-APN) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) τὰς G3588 (T-APF) ἀρχὰς G746 (N-APF) αὐτῶν G846 (P-GPN) εἰς G1519 (PREP) γενεὰς G1074 (N-APF) αὐτῶν· G846 (P-GPN) οὔτε G3777 (CONJ-N) ἐπείνασαν G3983 (V-AAI-3P) οὔτε G3777 (CONJ-N) ἐκοπίασαν G2872 (V-AAI-3P) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἐξέλιπον G1587 (V-2AAI-3P) ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) τῶν G3588 (T-GPN) ἔργων G2041 (N-GPN) αὐτῶν· G846 (P-GPN) [28] ἕκαστος G1538 (A-NSM) τὸν G3588 (T-ASM) πλησίον G4139 (ADV) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἐξέθλιψεν, (V-2AAI-3S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἕως G2193 (ADV) αἰῶνος G165 (N-GSM) οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἀπειθήσουσιν G544 (V-FAI-3P) τοῦ G3588 (T-GSN) ῥήματος G4487 (N-GSN) αὐτοῦ. G846 (P-GSM) [29] Καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μετὰ G3326 (PREP) ταῦτα G5023 (D-APN) κύριος G2962 (N-NSM) εἰς G1519 (PREP) τὴν G3588 (T-ASF) γῆν G1093 (N-ASF) ἐπέβλεψεν G1914 (V-AAI-3S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐνέπλησεν G1705 (V-AAI-3S) αὐτὴν G846 (P-ASF) τῶν G3588 (T-GPN) ἀγαθῶν G18 (A-GPN) αὐτοῦ· G846 (P-GSM) [30] ψυχῇ G5590 (N-DSF) παντὸς G3956 (A-GSN) ζῴου G2226 (N-GSN) ἐκάλυψεν G2572 (V-2AAI-3S) τὸ G3588 (T-ASN) πρόσωπον G4383 (N-ASN) αὐτῆς, G846 (P-GSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) εἰς G1519 (PREP) αὐτὴν G846 (P-ASF) ἡ G3588 (T-NSF) ἀποστροφὴ (N-NSF) αὐτῶν. G846 (P-GPN)