Sirach 18 – search, read, and compare multiple versions of the Bible
World English Bible Classic
[1] He who lives forever created the whole universe.
[2] The Lord alone is just. [3] ⓘ
[4] He has given power to declare his works to no one.
Who could trace out his mighty deeds?
[5] Who could measure the strength of his majesty?
Who could also proclaim his mercies?
[6] As for the wondrous works of the Lord, it is not possible to take from them nor add to them,
neither is it possible to explore them.
[7] When a man has finished, then he is just at the beginning.
When he stops, then he will be perplexed.
[8] What is mankind, and what purpose do they serve?
What is their good, and what is their evil?
[9] The number of man’s days at the most are a hundred years.
[10] As a drop of water from the sea, and a pebble from the sand,
so are a few years in the day of eternity.
[11] For this cause the Lord was patient over them,
and poured out his mercy upon them.
[12] He saw and perceived their end, that it is evil.
Therefore he multiplied his forgiveness.
[13] The mercy of a man is on his neighbor;
but the mercy of the Lord is on all flesh:
reproving, chastening, teaching,
and bringing back, as a shepherd does his flock.
[14] He has mercy on those who accept chastening,
and that diligently seek after his judgments. [15] My son, don’t add reproach to your good deeds,
and no harsh words in any of your giving.
[16] Doesn’t the dew relieve the scorching heat?
So a word is better than a gift.
[17] Behold, isn’t a word better than a gift?
Both are with a gracious person.
[18] A fool is ungracious and abusive.
The gift of a grudging person consumes the eyes. [19] Learn before you speak.
Take care of your health before you get sick.
[20] Before judgment, examine yourself,
and in the hour of scrutiny you will find forgiveness.
[21] Humble yourself before you get sick.
In the time of sins, repent.
[22] Let nothing hinder you to pay your vow in due time.
Don’t wait until death to be released.
[23] Before you make a vow, prepare yourself.
Don’t be like a man who tests the Lord.
[24] Think about the wrath coming in the days of the end,
and the time of vengeance, when he turns away his face.
[25] In the days of fullness remember the time of hunger.
Remember poverty and lack in the days of wealth.
[26] From morning until evening, the time changes.
All things are speedy before the Lord.
[27] A wise man is cautious in everything.
In days of sinning, he will beware of offense.ⓘ
[28] Every man of understanding knows wisdom.
He will give thanks to him who found her.
[29] They who were of understanding in sayings also became wise themselves,
and poured out apt proverbs. [30] Don’t go after your lusts.
Restrain your appetites.
[31] If you give fully to your soul the delight of her desire,
she will make you§ the laughing stock of your enemies.
[32] Don’t make merry in much luxury,
and don’t be tied to its expense.
[33] Don’t be made a beggar by banqueting with borrowed money
when you have nothing in your purse.ⓘ
[2] The Lord alone is just. [3] ⓘ
[4] He has given power to declare his works to no one.
Who could trace out his mighty deeds?
[5] Who could measure the strength of his majesty?
Who could also proclaim his mercies?
[6] As for the wondrous works of the Lord, it is not possible to take from them nor add to them,
neither is it possible to explore them.
[7] When a man has finished, then he is just at the beginning.
When he stops, then he will be perplexed.
[8] What is mankind, and what purpose do they serve?
What is their good, and what is their evil?
[9] The number of man’s days at the most are a hundred years.
[10] As a drop of water from the sea, and a pebble from the sand,
so are a few years in the day of eternity.
[11] For this cause the Lord was patient over them,
and poured out his mercy upon them.
[12] He saw and perceived their end, that it is evil.
Therefore he multiplied his forgiveness.
[13] The mercy of a man is on his neighbor;
but the mercy of the Lord is on all flesh:
reproving, chastening, teaching,
and bringing back, as a shepherd does his flock.
[14] He has mercy on those who accept chastening,
and that diligently seek after his judgments. [15] My son, don’t add reproach to your good deeds,
and no harsh words in any of your giving.
[16] Doesn’t the dew relieve the scorching heat?
So a word is better than a gift.
[17] Behold, isn’t a word better than a gift?
Both are with a gracious person.
[18] A fool is ungracious and abusive.
The gift of a grudging person consumes the eyes. [19] Learn before you speak.
Take care of your health before you get sick.
[20] Before judgment, examine yourself,
and in the hour of scrutiny you will find forgiveness.
[21] Humble yourself before you get sick.
In the time of sins, repent.
[22] Let nothing hinder you to pay your vow in due time.
Don’t wait until death to be released.
[23] Before you make a vow, prepare yourself.
Don’t be like a man who tests the Lord.
[24] Think about the wrath coming in the days of the end,
and the time of vengeance, when he turns away his face.
[25] In the days of fullness remember the time of hunger.
Remember poverty and lack in the days of wealth.
[26] From morning until evening, the time changes.
All things are speedy before the Lord.
[27] A wise man is cautious in everything.
In days of sinning, he will beware of offense.ⓘ
[28] Every man of understanding knows wisdom.
He will give thanks to him who found her.
[29] They who were of understanding in sayings also became wise themselves,
and poured out apt proverbs. [30] Don’t go after your lusts.
Restrain your appetites.
[31] If you give fully to your soul the delight of her desire,
she will make you§ the laughing stock of your enemies.
[32] Don’t make merry in much luxury,
and don’t be tied to its expense.
[33] Don’t be made a beggar by banqueting with borrowed money
when you have nothing in your purse.ⓘ
Footnotes
- ⓘ 18:3 The remainder of verse 2, and verse 3, are omitted by the best authorities.
- ⓘ 18:27 The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.
- § 18:31 Or, a rejoicing to
- ⓘ 18:33 The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.
King James Version
Book not available in King James Version
Septuaginta
Septuaginta, in place of Byzantine Greek New Testament
[1] Ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) ζῶν G2198 (V-PAP-NSM) εἰς G1519 (PREP) τὸν G3588 (T-ASM) αἰῶνα G165 (N-ASM) ἔκτισεν G2936 (V-AAI-3S) τὰ G3588 (T-APN) πάντα G3956 (A-APN) κοινῇ· G2839 (A-DSF) [2] κύριος G2962 (N-NSM) μόνος G3441 (A-NSM) δικαιωθήσεται. G1344 (V-FPI-3S) …[4] Οὐθενὶ G3762 (A-DSM-N) ἐξεποίησεν (V-AAI-3S) ἐξαγγεῖλαι G1804 (V-AAN) τὰ G3588 (T-APN) ἔργα G2041 (N-APN) αὐτοῦ· G846 (P-GSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) τίς G5101 (I-NSM) ἐξιχνεύσει (V-FAI-3S) τὰ G3588 (T-APN) μεγαλεῖα G3167 (A-APN) αὐτοῦ; G846 (P-GSM) [5] Κράτος G2904 (N-ASN) μεγαλωσύνης G3172 (N-GSF) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) τίς G5101 (I-NSM) ἐξαριθμήσεται; (V-FMI-3S) Καὶ G2532 (CONJ) τίς G5101 (I-NSM) προσθήσει G4369 (V-FAI-3S) ἐκδιηγήσασθαι G1555 (V-AMN) τὰ G3588 (T-APN) ἐλέη G1656 (N-APN) αὐτοῦ; G846 (P-GSM) [6] Οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) ἐλαττῶσαι G1642 (V-AAN) οὐδὲ G3761 (CONJ-N) προσθεῖναι, G4369 (V-2AAN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) ἐξιχνιάσαι (V-AAN) τὰ G3588 (T-APN) θαυμάσια G2297 (A-APN) τοῦ G3588 (T-GSM) κυρίου· G2962 (N-GSM) [7] ὅταν G3752 (CONJ) συντελέσῃ G4931 (V-AAS-3S) ἄνθρωπος, G444 (N-NSM) τότε G5119 (ADV) ἄρχεται· G757 (V-PEI-3S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ὅταν G3752 (CONJ) παύσηται, G3973 (V-AMS-3S) τότε G5119 (ADV) ἀπορηθήσεται. G639 (V-FPI-3S) [8] Τί G5101 (I-NSN) ἄνθρωπος, G444 (N-NSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) τί G5101 (I-ASN) ἡ G3588 (T-NSF) χρῆσις G5540 (N-NSF) αὐτοῦ; G846 (P-GSM) Τί G5101 (I-ASN) τὸ G3588 (T-NSN) ἀγαθὸν G18 (A-NSN) αὐτοῦ, G846 (P-GSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) τί G5101 (I-ASN) τὸ G3588 (T-NSN) κακὸν G2556 (A-NSN) αὐτοῦ; G846 (P-GSM) [9] Ἀριθμὸς G706 (N-NSM) ἡμερῶν G2250 (N-GPF) ἀνθρώπου G444 (N-GSM) πολλὰ G4183 (A-NPN) ἔτη G2094 (N-NPN) ἑκατόν· G1540 (A-NUI) [10] ὡς G5613 (ADV) σταγὼν (N-NSF) ὕδατος G5204 (N-GSN) ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) θαλάσσης G2281 (N-GSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ψῆφος G5586 (N-NSF) ἄμμου, G285 (N-GSF) οὕτως G3779 (ADV) ὀλίγα G3641 (A-NPN) ἔτη G2094 (N-NPN) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ἡμέρᾳ G2250 (N-DSF) αἰῶνος. G165 (N-GSM) [11] Διὰ G1223 (PREP) τοῦτο G5124 (D-ASN) ἐμακροθύμησεν G3114 (V-AAI-3S) κύριος G2962 (N-NSM) ἐπ’ G1909 (PREP) αὐτοῖς G846 (P-DPM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐξέχεεν G1632 (V-IAI-3S) ἐπ’ G1909 (PREP) αὐτοὺς G846 (P-APM) τὸ G3588 (T-ASN) ἔλεος G1656 (N-ASN) αὐτοῦ. G846 (P-GSM) [12] Εἶδεν G1492 (V-2AAI-3S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐπέγνω G1921 (V-2AAI-3S) τὴν G3588 (T-ASF) καταστροφὴν G2692 (N-ASF) αὐτῶν G846 (P-GPM) ὅτι G3754 (CONJ) πονηρά· G4190 (A-NPN) διὰ G1223 (PREP) τοῦτο G5124 (D-ASN) ἐπλήθυνεν G4129 (V-AAI-3S) τὸν G3588 (T-ASM) ἐξιλασμὸν (N-ASM) αὐτοῦ. G846 (P-GSM) [13] Ἔλεος G1656 (N-NSN) ἀνθρώπου G444 (N-GSM) ἐπὶ G1909 (PREP) τὸν G3588 (T-ASM) πλησίον G4139 (ADV) αὐτοῦ, G846 (P-GSM) ἔλεος G1656 (N-ASN) δὲ G1161 (CONJ) κυρίου G2962 (N-GSM) ἐπὶ G1909 (PREP) πᾶσαν G3956 (A-ASF) σάρκα· G4561 (N-ASF) ἐλέγχων G1651 (V-PAP-NSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) παιδεύων G3811 (V-PAP-NSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) διδάσκων G1321 (V-PAP-NSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐπιστρέφων G1994 (V-PAP-NSM) ὡς G5613 (ADV) ποιμὴν G4166 (N-NSM) τὸ G3588 (T-ASN) ποίμνιον G4168 (N-ASN) αὐτοῦ. G846 (P-GSM) [14] Τοὺς G3588 (T-APM) ἐκδεχομένους G1551 (V-PEP-APM) παιδείαν G3809 (N-ASF) ἐλεᾷ (V-PAI-3S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) τοὺς G3588 (T-APM) κατασπεύδοντας (V-PAP-APM) ἐπὶ G1909 (PREP) τὰ G3588 (T-APN) κρίματα G2917 (N-APN) αὐτοῦ. G846 (P-GSM) [15] Τέκνον, G5043 (N-VSN) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ἀγαθοῖς G18 (A-DPN) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) δῷς G1325 (V-2AAS-2S) μῶμον G3470 (N-ASM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐν G1722 (PREP) πάσῃ G3956 (A-DSF) δόσει G1394 (N-DSF) λύπην G3077 (N-ASF) λόγων. G3056 (N-GPM) [16] Οὐχὶ G3780 (PRT-N) καύσωνα G2742 (N-ASM) ἀναπαύσει G372 (N-DSF) δρόσος; (N-NSF) Οὕτως G3779 (ADV) κρείσσων G2908 (A-NSM-C) λόγος G3056 (N-NSM) ἢ G2228 (PRT) δόσις. G1394 (N-NSF) [17] Οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἰδοὺ G2400 (V-2AMM-2S) λόγος G3056 (N-NSM) ὑπὲρ G5228 (PREP) δόμα G1390 (N-NSN) ἀγαθόν; G18 (A-NSN) Καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀμφότερα G297 (A-NPN) παρὰ G3844 (PREP) ἀνδρὶ G435 (N-DSM) κεχαριτωμένῳ. (V-REP-DSM) [18] Μωρὸς G3474 (A-NSM) ἀχαρίστως (ADV) ὀνειδιεῖ, G3679 (V-FAI-3S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) δόσις G1394 (N-NSF) βασκάνου (A-GSM) ἐκτήκει (V-PAI-3S) ὀφθαλμούς. G3788 (N-APM) [19] Πρὶν G4250 (ADV) ἢ G2228 (PRT) λαλῆσαι G2980 (V-AAN) μάνθανε G3129 (V-PAM-2S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) πρὸ G4253 (PREP) ἀρρωστίας (N-GSF) θεραπεύου. G2323 (V-PEM-2S) [20] Πρὸ G4253 (PREP) κρίσεως G2920 (N-GSF) ἐξέταζε G1833 (V-PAM-2S) σεαυτόν, G4572 (F-2ASM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ὥρᾳ G5610 (N-DSF) ἐπισκοπῆς G1984 (N-GSF) εὑρήσεις G2147 (V-FAI-2S) ἐξιλασμόν. (N-ASM) [21] Πρὶν G4250 (ADV) ἀρρωστῆσαί (V-AAN) σε G4571 (P-2AS) ταπεινώθητι G5013 (V-APM-2S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐν G1722 (PREP) καιρῷ G2540 (N-DSM) ἁμαρτημάτων G265 (N-GPN) δεῖξον (V-AAM-2S) ἐπιστροφήν. G1995 (N-ASF) [22] Μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) ἐμποδισθῇς (V-APS-2S) τοῦ G3588 (T-GSN) ἀποδοῦναι G591 (V-2AAN) εὐχὴν G2171 (N-ASF) εὐκαίρως G2122 (ADV) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) μείνῃς G3306 (V-AAS-2S) ἕως G2193 (ADV) θανάτου G2288 (N-GSM) δικαιωθῆναι. G1344 (V-APN) [23] Πρὶν G4250 (ADV) εὔξασθαι G2172 (V-AMN) ἑτοίμασον G2090 (V-AAM-2S) σεαυτὸν G4572 (F-2ASM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) γίνου G1096 (V-PNM-2S) ὡς G5613 (ADV) ἄνθρωπος G444 (N-NSM) πειράζων G3985 (V-PAP-NSM) τὸν G3588 (T-ASM) κύριον. G2962 (N-ASM) [24] Μνήσθητι G3415 (V-APM-2S) θυμοῦ G2372 (N-GSM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ἡμέραις G2250 (N-DPF) τελευτῆς G5054 (N-GSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) καιρὸν G2540 (N-ASM) ἐκδικήσεως G1557 (N-GSF) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ἀποστροφῇ (N-DSF) προσώπου. G4383 (N-GSN) [25] Μνήσθητι G3415 (V-APM-2S) καιρὸν G2540 (N-ASM) λιμοῦ G3042 (N-GSM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) καιρῷ G2540 (N-DSM) πλησμονῆς, G4140 (N-GSF) πτωχείαν G4432 (N-ASF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἔνδειαν (N-ASF) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ἡμέραις G2250 (N-DPF) πλούτου. G4149 (N-GSM) [26] Ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) πρωίθεν (ADV) ἕως G2193 (ADV) ἑσπέρας G2073 (N-GSF) μεταβάλλει G3328 (V-PAI-3S) καιρός, G2540 (N-NSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) πάντα G3956 (A-NPN) ἐστὶν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) ταχινὰ G5031 (A-NPN) ἔναντι G1725 (PREP) κυρίου. G2962 (N-GSM) [27] Ἄνθρωπος G444 (N-NSM) σοφὸς G4680 (A-NSM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) παντὶ G3956 (A-DSN) εὐλαβηθήσεται G2125 (V-FPI-3S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ἡμέραις G2250 (N-DPF) ἁμαρτιῶν G266 (N-GPF) προσέξει G4337 (V-FAI-3S) ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) πλημμελείας. (N-GSF) [28] Πᾶς G3956 (A-NSM) συνετὸς G4908 (A-NSM) ἔγνω G1097 (V-2AAI-3S) σοφίαν G4678 (N-ASF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) τῷ G3588 (T-DSM) εὑρόντι G2147 (V-2AAP-DSM) αὐτὴν G846 (P-ASF) δώσει G1325 (V-FAI-3S) ἐξομολόγησιν. (N-ASF) [29] Συνετοὶ G4908 (A-NPM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) λόγοις G3056 (N-DPM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) αὐτοὶ G846 (P-NPM) ἐσοφίσαντο G4679 (V-AMI-3P) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀνώμβρησαν (V-AAI-3P) παροιμίας G3942 (N-APF) ἀκριβεῖς. G196 (A-APF) [30] Ὀπίσω G3694 (ADV) τῶν G3588 (T-GPF) ἐπιθυμιῶν G1939 (N-GPF) σου G4675 (P-2GS) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) πορεύου G4198 (V-PNM-2S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) τῶν G3588 (T-GPF) ὀρέξεών G3715 (N-GPF) σου G4675 (P-2GS) κωλύου· G2967 (V-PEM-2S) [31] ἐὰν G1437 (COND) χορηγήσῃς G5524 (V-AAS-2S) τῇ G3588 (T-DSF) ψυχῇ G5590 (N-DSF) σου G4675 (P-2GS) εὐδοκίαν G2107 (N-ASF) ἐπιθυμίας, G1939 (N-GSF) ποιήσει G4160 (V-FAI-3S) σε G4571 (P-2AS) ἐπίχαρμα (N-ASN) τῶν G3588 (T-GPM) ἐχθρῶν G2190 (A-GPM) σου. G4675 (P-2GS) [32] Μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) εὐφραίνου G2165 (V-PPM-2S) ἐπὶ G1909 (PREP) πολλῇ G4183 (A-DSF) τρυφῇ, G5172 (N-DSF) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) προσδεθῇς G4326 (V-ANS-2S) συμβολῇ (N-DSF) αὐτῆς. G846 (P-GSF) [33] Μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) γίνου G1096 (V-PNM-2S) πτωχὸς G4434 (A-NSM) συμβολοκοπῶν (V-PAP-NSM) ἐκ G1537 (PREP) δανεισμοῦ, (N-GSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) οὐδέν G3762 (A-NSN-N) σοί G4671 (P-2DS) ἐστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) ἐν G1722 (PREP) μαρσιππίῳ. (N-DSN)