Ecclesiasticus, 43

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

1. Of the following things do not be ashamed, and do not let partiality lead you to sin:

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

2. of the law of the Most High and his covenant, and of rendering judgment to acquit the ungodly;

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

3. of keeping accounts with a partner or with traveling companions, and of dividing the inheritance of friends;

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.

4. of accuracy with scales and weights, and of acquiring much or little;

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

5. of profit from dealing with merchants, and of much discipline of children, and of whipping a wicked servant severely.

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

6. Where there is an evil wife, a seal is a good thing; and where there are many hands, lock things up.

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

7. Whatever you deal out, let it be by number and weight, and make a record of all that you give out or take in.

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.

8. Do not be ashamed to instruct the stupid or foolish or the aged man who quarrels with the young. Then you will be truly instructed, and will be approved before all men.

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

9. A daughter keeps her father secretly wakeful, and worry over her robs him of sleep; when she is young, lest she do not marry, or if married, lest she be hated;

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

10. while a virgin, lest she be defiled or become pregnant in her father's house; or having a husband, lest she prove unfaithful, or, though married, lest she be barren.

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

11. Keep strict watch over a headstrong daughter, lest she make you a laughingstock to your enemies, a byword in the city and notorious among the people, and put you to shame before the great multitude.

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

12. Do not look upon any one for beauty, and do not sit in the midst of women;

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

13. for from garments comes the moth, and from a woman comes woman's wickedness.

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

14. Better is the wickedness of a man than a woman who does good; and it is a woman who brings shame and disgrace.

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

15. I will now call to mind the works of the Lord, and will declare what I have seen. By the words of the Lord his works are done.

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.

16. The sun looks down on everything with its light, and the work of the Lord is full of his glory.

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

17. The Lord has not enabled his holy ones to recount all his marvelous works, which the Lord the Almighty has established that the universe may stand firm in his glory.

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.

18. He searches out the abyss, and the hearts of men, and considers their crafty devices. For the Most High knows all that may be known, and he looks into the signs of the age.

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

19. He declares what has been and what is to be, and he reveals the tracks of hidden things.

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.

20. No thought escapes him, and not one word is hidden from him.

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

21. He has ordained the splendors of his wisdom, and he is from everlasting and to everlasting. Nothing can be added or taken away, and he needs no one to be his counselor.

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

22. How greatly to be desired are all his works, and how sparkling they are to see!

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

23. All these things live and remain for ever for every need, and are all obedient.

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

24. All things are twofold, one opposite the other, and he has made nothing incomplete.

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

25. One confirms the good things of the other, and who can have enough of beholding his glory?

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

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

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

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

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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.

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

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

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

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