> [[sirach-34|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-36|Next →]] --- # Sirach, Chapter 35 ## Chapter 35 1 To keep the law is to make many offerings; ^sirach-35-1 2 whoever observes the commandments sacrifices a peace offering. ^sirach-35-2 3 By works of charity one offers fine flour, ^sirach-35-3 4 and one who gives alms presents a sacrifice of praise. ^sirach-35-4 5 To refrain from evil pleases the Lord, ^sirach-35-5 and to avoid injustice is atonement. 6 Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed, ^sirach-35-6 7 for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts. ^sirach-35-7 8 The offering of the just enriches the altar: ^sirach-35-8 a sweet odor before the Most High. 9 The sacrifice of the just is accepted, ^sirach-35-9 never to be forgotten. 10 With a generous spirit pay homage to the Lord, ^sirach-35-10 and do not spare your freewill gifts. 11 With each contribution show a cheerful countenance, ^sirach-35-11 and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy. 12 Give to the Most High as he has given to you, ^sirach-35-12 generously, according to your means. 13 For he is a God who always repays ^sirach-35-13 and will give back to you sevenfold. 14 But offer no bribes; these he does not accept! ^sirach-35-14 15 Do not trust in sacrifice of the fruits of extortion, ^sirach-35-15 For he is a God of justice, who shows no partiality. 16 He shows no partiality to the weak ^sirach-35-16 but hears the grievance of the oppressed. 17 He does not forsake the cry of the orphan, ^sirach-35-17 nor the widow when she pours out her complaint. 18 Do not the tears that stream down her cheek ^sirach-35-18 19 cry out against the one that causes them to fall? ^sirach-35-19 20 Those who serve God to please him are accepted; ^sirach-35-20 their petition reaches the clouds. 21 The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; ^sirach-35-21 it does not rest till it reaches its goal; Nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, 22 judges justly and affirms the right. ^sirach-35-22 God indeed will not delay, and like a warrior, will not be still Till he breaks the backs of the merciless 23 and wreaks vengeance upon the nations; ^sirach-35-23 Till he destroys the scepter of the proud, and cuts off the staff of the wicked; 24 Till he requites everyone according to their deeds, ^sirach-35-24 and repays them according to their thoughts; 25 Till he defends the cause of his people, ^sirach-35-25 and makes them glad by his salvation. 26 Welcome is his mercy in time of distress ^sirach-35-26 as rain clouds in time of drought. \* (35:1] – [26) Keeping the commandments of the law and avoiding injustice constitute sacrifice pleasing and acceptable to God (vv. [1] – [5]). Offerings also should be made to him, cheerfully and generously; these he repays sevenfold (vv. [6] – [13]). Extortion from widows and orphans is injustice, and God will hear their cries (vv. [14] – [22a]). Punishing the proud and the merciless and coming to the aid of the distressed, he requites everyone according to their deeds (vv. [22b] – [26]). \* (35:3) Fine flour, together with oil and frankincense, was a prescribed offering to God; cf. [Lv 2:1] – [3]. \* (35:16) Cf. [Lv 19:15]; [Dt 1:17]. The divine impartiality is paradoxical, for it is tilted toward the poor. a. (35:1] – [5) [1 Sm 15:22]; [Ps 51:18] – [19]; [Is 1:11] – [18]; [Hos 6:6]; [Am 5:21] – [24]. b. (35:7) ([[exodus-23|Ex 23]]:15]; [34:20]; [Dt 16:16]. c. (35:10) [Sir 7:31]. d. (35:11) [Dt 14:22]; ([[2-corinthians-09|2 Cor 9]]:7]. e. (35:13) [Prv 19:17]; ([[matthew-25|Mt 25]]:34] – [40]. f. (35:15) [Sir 34:21] – [23]; [Prv 15:8]; [21:27]. g. (35:15) [Dt 10:17]; [2 Chr 19:7]; [Jb 34:19]; ([[wisdom-06|Wis 6]]:7]; ([[acts-of-the-apostles-10|Acts 10]]:34]; ([[romans-02|Rom 2]]:11]; [Gal 2:6]; [1 Pt 1:17]. h. (35:17] – [19) ([[exodus-22|Ex 22]]:22]. i. (35:22) ([[luke-18|Lk 18]]:7]. j. (35:22) [Is 42:13] – [16]; [2 Pt 3:9]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[sirach-34|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-36|Next →]]