Liber Ecclesiasticus, 36

1. Miserere nostri, Deus omnium, et respice nos et ostende nobis lucem miserationum tuarum;

1. He who keeps the law makes many offerings; he who heeds the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.

2. et immitte timorem tuum super gentes, quae non exquisierunt te, ut cognoscant quia non est Deus nisi tu, et enarrent magnalia tua.

2. He who returns a kindness offers fine flour, and he who gives alms sacrifices a thank offering.

3. Alleva manum tuam super gentes alienas, ut videant potentiam tuam.

3. To keep from wickedness is pleasing to the Lord, and to forsake unrighteousness is atonement.

4. Sicut enim in conspectu eorum sanctificatus es in nobis, sic in conspectu nostro magnificaberis in eis,

4. Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed,

5. ut cognoscant, sicut et nos cognovimus, quoniam non est Deus praeter te, Domine.

5. for all these things are to be done because of the commandment.

6. Innova signa et itera mirabilia,

6. The offering of a righteous man anoints the altar, and its pleasing odor rises before the Most High.

7. glorifica manum et firma brachium dextrum,

7. The sacrifice of a righteous man is acceptable, and the memory of it will not be forgotten.

8. excita furorem et effunde iram,

8. Glorify the Lord generously, and do not stint the first fruits of your hands.

9. tolle adversarium et afflige inimicum.

9. With every gift show a cheerful face, and dedicate your tithe with gladness.

10. Festina tempus et memento praefinitionis, et enarrentur mirabilia tua.

10. Give to the Most High as he has given, and as generously as your hand has found.

11. In ira flammae devoretur, qui salvatur; et, qui pessimant plebem tuam, inveniant perditionem.

11. For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold.

12. Contere caput principum inimicorum dicentium: “Non est alius praeter nos!”.

12. Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it; and do not trust to an unrighteous sacrifice; for the Lord is the judge, and with him is no partiality.

13. Congrega omnes tribus Iacob et hereditabis eos sicut ab initio.

13. He will not show partiality in the case of a poor man; and he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged.

14. Miserere plebi tuae, super quam invocatum est nomen tuum, et Israel, quem coaequasti primogenito tuo.

14. He will not ignore the supplication of the fatherless, nor the widow when she pours out her story.

15. Miserere civitati sanctificationis tuae, Ierusalem, loco requiei tuae.

15. Do not the tears of the widow run down her cheek as she cries out against him who has caused them to fall?

16. Reple Sion maiestate tua et gloria tua templum tuum.

16. He whose service is pleasing to the Lord will be accepted, and his prayer will reach to the clouds.

17. Da testimonium his, qui ab initio creaturae tuae sunt, et suscita praedicationes, quas locuti sunt in nomine tuo.

17. The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds, and he will not be consoled until it reaches the Lord; he will not desist until the Most High visits him, and does justice for the righteous, and executes judgment.

18. Da mercedem sustinentibus te, ut prophetae tui fideles inveniantur. Et exaudi orationes servorum tuorum,

18. And the Lord will not delay, neither will he be patient with them, till he crushes the loins of the unmerciful and repays vengeance on the nations; till he takes away the multitude of the insolent, and breaks the scepters of the unrighteous;

19. secundum beneplacitum super populo tuo, et dirige nos in viam iustitiae, et sciant omnes, qui habitant terram, quia tu es Deus saeculorum.

19. till he repays the man according to his deeds, and the works of men according to their devices; till he judges the case of his people and makes them rejoice in his mercy.

20. Omnem escam manducabit venter, et est cibus cibo melior;

20. Mercy is as welcome when he afflicts them as clouds of rain in the time of drought.

21. fauces percipiunt cibum ferae, et cor sensatum verba mendacia.

21.

22. Cor pravum dabit tristitiam, et homo peritus retribuet illi.

22.

23. Omnem masculum excipiet mulier, est autem filia melior filia.

23.

24. Species mulieris exhilarat faciem viri sui, et super omnem concupiscentiam hominis superducit desiderium.

24.

25. Insuper, si est super lingua eius curatio et mitigatio et misericordia, non est vir illius secundum filios hominum.

25.

26. Qui possidet mulierem bonam, inchoat possessionem, adiutorium secundum illum est et columna requiei.

26.

27. Ubi non est saepes, diripietur vinea, et ubi non est mulier, ingemiscet errans.

27.

28. Quis credit ei, qui non habet nidum et deflectens ubicumque obscuraverit, quasi succinctus latro exsiliens de civitate in civitatem?

28.