> [[sirach-17|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-19|Next →]] --- # Sirach, Chapter 18 ## Chapter 18 ### The Divine Power and Mercy 1 He who lives forever created the whole universe; ^sirach-18-1 2 the LORD alone is just. ^sirach-18-2 4 To whom has he given power to describe his works, ^sirach-18-4 and who can search out his mighty deeds? 5 Who can measure his majestic power, ^sirach-18-5 or fully recount his mercies? 6 No one can lessen, increase, ^sirach-18-6 or fathom the wonders of the Lord. 7 When mortals finish, they are only beginning, ^sirach-18-7 and when they stop they are still bewildered. 8 What are mortals? What are they worth? ^sirach-18-8 What is good in them, and what is evil? 9 The number of their days seems great ^sirach-18-9 if it reaches a hundred years. 10 Like a drop of water from the sea and a grain of sand, ^sirach-18-10 so are these few years among the days of eternity. 11 That is why the Lord is patient with them ^sirach-18-11 and pours out his mercy on them. 12 He sees and understands that their death is wretched, ^sirach-18-12 and so he forgives them all the more. 13 Their compassion is for their neighbor, ^sirach-18-13 but the Lord’s compassion reaches all flesh, Reproving, admonishing, teaching, and turning them back, as a shepherd his flock. 14 He has compassion on those who accept his discipline, ^sirach-18-14 who are eager for his precepts. ### The Need for Prudence 15 My child, add no reproach to your charity, ^sirach-18-15 or spoil any gift by harsh words. 16 Does not the dew give relief from the scorching heat? ^sirach-18-16 So a word can be better than a gift. 17 Indeed does not a word count more than a good gift? ^sirach-18-17 But both are offered by a kind person. 18 The fool is ungracious and abusive, ^sirach-18-18 and a grudging gift makes the eyes smart. 19 Before you speak, learn; ^sirach-18-19 before you get sick, prepare the cure. 20 Before you are judged, examine yourself, ^sirach-18-20 and at the time of scrutiny you will have forgiveness. 21 Before you fall ill, humble yourself; ^sirach-18-21 and when you have sinned, show repentance. Do not delay forsaking your sins; do not neglect to do so until you are in distress. 22 Let nothing prevent the prompt payment of your vows; ^sirach-18-22 do not wait until death to fulfill them. 23 Before making a vow prepare yourself; ^sirach-18-23 do not be like one who puts the Lord to the test. 24 Think of wrath on the day of death, ^sirach-18-24 the time of vengeance when he will hide his face. 25 Think of the time of hunger in the time of plenty, ^sirach-18-25 poverty and need in the day of wealth. 26 Between morning and evening there is a change of time; ^sirach-18-26 before the Lord all things are fleeting. 27 The wise are discreet in all things; ^sirach-18-27 where sin is rife they keep themselves from wrongdoing. 28 Every wise person teaches wisdom, ^sirach-18-28 and those who know her declare her praise; 29 Those skilled in words become wise themselves, ^sirach-18-29 and pour forth apt proverbs. ### Self-control 30 Do not let your passions be your guide, ^sirach-18-30 but keep your desires in check. 31 If you allow yourself to satisfy your passions, ^sirach-18-31 they will make you the laughingstock of your enemies. 32 Take no pleasure in too much luxury ^sirach-18-32 which brings on poverty redoubled. 33 Do not become a glutton and a drunkard ^sirach-18-33 with nothing in your purse. \* (18:1] – [14) Not only are God’s justice and power beyond human understanding (vv. [1] – [7]), his mercy also is boundless and surpasses all human compassion (vv. [8] – [14]); he pities human frailty and mortality. † (18:2) Other ancient texts read as v. 3: He controls the world within the span of his hand, and everything obeys his will; For he in his might is the King of all, separating what is holy among them from what is profane. \* (18:15] – [27) The practice of charity, especially [[almsgiving]], is an art which avoids every offense to another (vv. [15] – [18]). Prudence directs the changing circumstances of daily life in view of the time of scrutiny (i.e., the day of reckoning, or death, v. [24]). \* (18:21) Sickness was often viewed as a punishment for sin; hence, the need for repentance. Cf. [38:9] – [10]; [Jb 15:20] – [24]. \* (18:28] – [29) A general statement on the teaching of wisdom, serving either as a conclusion to the preceding section or as an introduction to the following one. \* (18:30] – [19:4) Inordinate gratification of the senses makes people unreasonable, slaves of passion, the laughingstock of their enemies, and it leads to an untimely death. a. (18:9) [Ps 90:10]. b. (18:13) ([[psalm-23|Ps 23]]:1] – [4]; [Is 40:11]; [49:9] – [10]; [Jn 10:11] – [16]; [Heb 13:20] – [21]; ([[revelation-07|Rv 7]]:17]. c. (18:18) [[sirach-20|Sir 20]]:14 – [15]. d. (18:22) [Nm 30:3]; [Dt 23:22]; [Ps 50:14]; [Prv 20:25]; [Eccl 5:4]. e. (18:24) [Sir 7:16]. f. (18:25) [[sirach-11|Sir 11]]:25 – [27]. g. (18:30) [Rom 6:12]; [13:14]; [2 Tm 2:22]; [Jas 1:14] – [15]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[sirach-17|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-19|Next →]]