Ecclesiasticus, 16

1. Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons.

1. Do not long for a brood of worthless children, and take no joy in godless sons.

2. Though they multiply, rejoice not in them, except the fear of the Lord be with them.

2. However many you have, do not rejoice in them if they have no fear of God.

3. Trust not thou in their life, neither respect their multitude: for one that is just is better than a thousand; and better it is to die without children, than to have them that are ungodly.

3. Do not depend on their having a long life, or trust in their number, because one is better than a thousand and their death is preferable to their being godless.

4. For by one that hath understanding shall the city be replenished: but the kindred of the wicked shall speedily become desolate.

4. A city can arise from one man who is prudent. Yet, even though the wicked become a great tribe, they will be destroyed.

5. Many such things have I seen with mine eyes, and mine ear hath heard greater things than these.

5. I have seen such things with my own eyes and my ears have heard of still greater things.

6. In the congregation of the ungodly shall a fire be kindled; and in a rebellious nation wrath is set on fire.

6. Fire has come upon the meeting of sinners and God's wrath is kindled against rebellious people.

7. He was not pacified toward the old giants, who fell away in the strength of their foolishness.

7. God did not pardon the leaders of old who rebelled in their pride of strength.

8. Neither spared he the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for their pride.

8. He did not spare the city where Lot lived; he detested their pride.

9. He pitied not the people of perdition, who were taken away in their sins:

9. He showed no pity on the people doomed to destruction; they were annihilated for their sins.

10. Nor the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.

10. In the same way, he dealt with the six hundred thousand men who, in the hardness of their hearts, had revolted.

11. And if there be one stiffnecked among the people, it is marvel if he escape unpunished: for mercy and wrath are with him; he is mighty to forgive, and to pour out displeasure.

11. Had there been only one stubborn man it would have been amazing if he had escaped unpunished, since mercy and anger belong to the Lord who is powerful both in forgiveness and in punishment.

12. As his mercy is great, so is his correction also: he judgeth a man according to his works

12. His justice is as great as his mercy and he judges men by their deeds.

13. The sinner shall not escape with his spoils: and the patience of the godly shall not be frustrate.

13. Just as the sinner will not escape with his booty, the patience of the upright man will not go unrewarded.

14. Make way for every work of mercy: for every man shall find according to his works.

14. God will reward every act of mercy; each person will be treated according to his deeds.

15. The Lord hardened Pharaoh, that he should not know him, that his powerful works might be known to the world.

15.

16. His mercy is manifest to every creature; and he hath separated his light from the darkness with an adamant.

16.

17. Say not thou, I will hide myself from the Lord: shall any remember me from above? I shall not be remembered among so many people: for what is my soul among such an infinite number of creatures?

17. Do not say, "I will hide from the Lord; who will remember me up there? I will not be recognized in the midst of so many. What am I in the immensity of creation?"

18. Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth, and all that therein is, shall be moved when he shall visit.

18. Look: the sky and the heavens above the sky, the sea and the earth tremble when he comes.

19. The mountains also and foundations of the earth be shaken with trembling, when the Lord looketh upon them.

19. The mountains, together with the foundations of the earth, are filled with dread before his sight.

20. No heart can think upon these things worthily: and who is able to conceive his ways?

20. But nobody thinks of such things: who is interested in the ways of God?

21. It is a tempest which no man can see: for the most part of his works are hid.

21. Most of his works go unnoticed and man does not see where the storm originates.

22. Who can declare the works of his justice? or who can endure them? for his covenant is afar off, and the trial of all things is in the end.

22. "Who tells us of the interventions of God? Who expects them? The Covenant is far away."

23. He that wanteth understanding will think upon vain things: and a foolish man erring imagineth follies.

23. Such are the thoughts of the man of little sense, the foolish, dissolute man who loves his illusions.

24. by son, hearken unto me, and learn knowledge, and mark my words with thy heart.

24. Listen to me, my sons; acquire knowledge and apply your heart to my words.

25. I will shew forth doctrine in weight, and declare his knowledge exactly.

25. I will expound the teaching step by step and impart knowledge carefully.

26. The works of the Lord are done in judgment from the beginning: and from the time he made them he disposed the parts thereof.

26. God created his works from the beginning and, as he made them, he assigned to each its place.

27. He garnished his works for ever, and in his hand are the chief of them unto all generations: they neither labour, nor are weary, nor cease from their works.

27. He arranged them for all time, their beginning and their unfolding. They do not hunger or grow weary and they never cease from their duties.

28. None of them hindereth another, and they shall never disobey his word.

28. Not one has collided with its neighbor; they will never disobey his commands.

29. After this the Lord looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings.

29. Afterwards, the Lord looked down on the earth and filled it with his riches.

30. With all manner of living things hath he covered the face thereof; and they shall return into it again.

30. He covered its surface with all kinds of living things which must return to it.