Ecclesiasticus, 43

1. Pride of the heights, a clear vault of the sky -- such is the beauty of the heavens, a glorious sight.

2. The sun, as he emerges, proclaims at his rising, 'How wonderful a thing, the work of the Most High!'

3. At his zenith, he parches the ground, who can withstand his blaze?

4. We have to blow the furnace to produce any heat, the sun burns the mountains three times as much; breathing out blasts of fire, flashing his rays, he dazzles the eyes.

5. Great is the Lord who created him and whose word speeds him on his course.

6. And then the moon, ever punctual to mark the times, an everlasting sign:

7. It is the moon that signals the feasts, a luminary that wanes after being full.

8. The month derives its name from hers, she waxes wonderfully in her phases, banner of the hosts on high, shining in the vault of heaven.

9. The glory of the stars makes the beauty of the sky, a brilliant adornment of the Lord on High.

10. At the words of the Holy One they stand as he decrees, and never grow slack at their watch.

11. See the rainbow and praise its Maker, so superbly beautiful in its splendour.

12. Across the sky it forms a glorious arc drawn by the hands of the Most High.

13. By his command he sends the snow, he speeds the lightning by his command.

14. In the same way, his treasuries open and the clouds fly out like birds.

15. His great power solidifies the clouds, then pulverises them into hail.

16. at the sight of him, the mountains quake. At his will the south wind blows,or the storm from the north and the whirlwind.

17. At the roar of his thunder, the earth writhes in labour,

18. He sprinkles snow like birds alighting, it comes down like locusts settling. The eye marvels at the beauty of its whiteness, and the mind is amazed at its falling.

19. Over the earth, like salt, he also pours hoarfrost, which, when it freezes, bristles like thorns.

20. The cold wind blows from the north, and ice forms on the water; it forms on every piece of standing water, covering it like a breastplate.

21. The wind swallows up the mountains and scorches the desert, like a fire it consumes the vegetation.

22. But cloud brings swift healing, and dew brings joy after the heat.

23. By his own resourcefulness he has tamed the abyss, and planted it with islands.

24. Those who sail the sea tell of its dangers, their accounts fill our ears with amazement:

25. for there too exist strange and wonderful works, animals of every kind and huge sea creatures.

26. Thanks to God, his messenger reaches port, everything works out according to his word.

27. We could say much more and still fall short; to put it concisely, 'He is all.'

28. Where shall we find sufficient power to glorify him, since he is the Great One, above all his works,

29. the awe-inspiring Lord, stupendously great, and wonderful in his power?

30. Exalt the Lord in your praises as high as you may -- still he surpasses you. Exert all your strength when you exalt him, do not grow tired -- you will never come to the end.

31. Who has ever seen him to describe him? Who can glorify him as he deserves?

32. Many mysteries remain even greater than these, for we have seen only a few of his works,

33. the Lord himself having created all things and given wisdom to those who are devout.