Sir 18:1 He that liveth for ever Hath created
all things in general.
Sir 18:2 The Lord only is righteous, and there is none other but he,
Sir 18:3 Who governeth the world with the palm of his hand, and all things
obey his will: for he is the King of all, by his power dividing holy things
among them from profane.
Sir 18:4 To whom hath he given power to declare his works? and who shall
find out his noble acts?
Sir 18:5 Who shall number the strength of his majesty? and who shall also
tell out his mercies?
Sir 18:6 As for the wondrous works of the Lord, there may nothing be taken
from them, neither may any thing be put unto them, neither can the ground of
them be found out.
Sir 18:7 When a man hath done, then he beginneth; and when he leaveth off,
then he shall be doubtful.
Sir 18:8 What is man, and whereto serveth he? what is his good, and what is
his evil?
Sir 18:9 The number of a man's days at the most are an hundred years.
Sir 18:10 As a drop of water unto the sea, and a gravelstone in comparison
of the sand; so are a thousand years to the days of eternity.
Sir 18:11 Therefore is God patient with them, and poureth forth his mercy
upon them.
Sir 18:12 He saw and perceived their end to be evil; therefore he multiplied
his compassion.
Sir 18:13 The mercy of man is toward his neighbour; but the mercy of the
Lord is upon all flesh: he reproveth, and nurtureth, and teacheth and
bringeth again, as a shepherd his flock.
Sir 18:14 He hath mercy on them that receive discipline, and that diligently
seek after his judgments.
Sir 18:15 My son, blemish not thy good deeds, neither use uncomfortable
words when thou givest any thing.
Sir 18:16 Shall not the dew asswage the heat? so is a word better than a
gift.
Sir 18:17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a gracious
man.
Sir 18:18 A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious
consumeth the eyes.
Sir 18:19 Learn before thou speak, and use physick or ever thou be sick.
Sir 18:20 Before judgment examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou
shalt find mercy.
Sir 18:21 Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins shew
repentance.
Sir 18:22 Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not
until death to be justified.
Sir 18:23 Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that
tempteth the Lord.
Sir 18:24 Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and the time of
vengeance, when he shall turn away his face.
Sir 18:25 When thou hast enough, remember the time of hunger: and when thou
art rich, think upon poverty and need.
Sir 18:26 From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all
things are soon done before the Lord.
Sir 18:27 A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the day of sinning he
will beware of offence: but a fool will not observe time.
Sir 18:28 Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise
unto him that found her.
Sir 18:29 They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise
themselves, and poured forth exquisite parables.
Sir 18:30 Go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites.
Sir 18:31 If thou givest thy soul the desires that please her, she will make
thee a laughingstock to thine enemies that malign thee.
Sir 18:32 Take not pleasure in much good cheer, neither be tied to the
expence thereof.
Sir 18:33 Be not made a beggar by banqueting upon borrowing, when thou hast
nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt lie in wait for thine own life, and be
talked on.