Sefarim
Ben Sira16
Sirach / Ecclesiasticus · Chapter 16
Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons.
Though they multiply, rejoice not in them, except the fear of the master be with them.
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.
For by one that hath understanding shall the city be replenished: but the kindred of the wicked shall speedily become desolate.
Many such things have I seen with mine eyes, and mine ear hath heard greater things than these.
In the congregation of the ungodly shall a fire be kindled; and in a rebellious nation wrath is set on fire.
He was not pacified toward the old giants, who fell away in the strength of their foolishness.
Neither spared he the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for their pride.
He pitied not the people of perdition, who were taken away in their sins:
Nor the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.
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.
As his mercy is great, so is his correction also: he judgeth a man according to his works
The sinner shall not escape with his spoils: and the patience of the godly shall not be frustrate.
Make way for every work of mercy: for every man shall find according to his works.
The master hardened Pharaoh, that he should not know him, that his powerful works might be known to the world.
His mercy is manifest to every creature; and he hath separated his light from the darkness with an adamant.
Say not thou, I will hide myself from the master: shall any remember me from above? I shall not be remembered among so many people: for what is my nephesh among such an infinite number of creatures?
Behold, the shamayim, and the shamayim of shamayim, the deep, and the earth, and all that therein is, shall be moved when he shall visit.
The mountains also and foundations of the earth be shaken with trembling, when the master looketh upon them.
No heart can think upon these things worthily: and who is able to conceive his ways?
It is a tempest which no man can see: for the most part of his works are hid.
Who can declare the works of his justice? or who can endure them? for his b'rit is afar off, and the trial of all things is in the end.
He that wanteth understanding will think upon vain things: and a foolish man erring imagineth follies.
by son, hearken unto me, and learn knowledge, and mark my words with thy heart.
I will shew forth doctrine in weight, and declare his knowledge exactly.
The works of the master are done in judgment from the beginning: and from the time he made them he disposed the parts thereof.
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.
None of them hindereth another, and they shall never disobey his word.
After this the master looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings.
With all manner of living things hath he covered the face thereof; and they shall return into it again.
Sefarim
Ben Sira17
Sirach / Ecclesiasticus · Chapter 17
The master created man of the earth, and turned him into it again.
He gave them few days, and a short time, and power also over the things therein.
He endued them with strength by themselves, and made them according to his image,
And put the fear of man upon all flesh, and gave him dominion over beasts and fowls.
They received the use of the five operations of the master, and in the sixth place he imparted them understanding, and in the seventh speech, an interpreter of the cogitations thereof.
Counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, ears, and a heart, gave he them to understand.
Withal he filled them with the knowledge of understanding, and shewed them good and evil.
He set his eye upon their hearts, that he might shew them the greatness of his works.
He gave them to glory in his marvellous acts for ever, that they might declare his works with understanding.
And the elect shall praise his holy name.
Beside this he gave them knowledge, and the torah of life for an heritage.
He made an everlasting b'rit with them, and shewed them his judgments.
Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard his glorious voice.
And he said unto them, Beware of all unrighteousness; and he gave every man mitsvah concerning his neighbour.
Their ways are ever before him, and shall not be hid from his eyes.
Every man from his youth is given to evil; neither could they make to themselves fleshy hearts for stony.
For in the division of the nations of the whole earth he set a ruler over every people; but Yisra'el is the master’s portion:
Whom, being his firstborn, he nourisheth with discipline, and giving him the light of his love doth not forsake him.
Therefore all their works are as the sun before him, and his eyes are continually upon their ways.
None of their unrighteous deeds are hid from him, but all their sins are before the master
But the master being gracious and knowing his workmanship, neither left nor forsook them, but spared them.
The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and he will keep the good deeds of man as the apple of the eye, and give repentance to his sons and daughters.
Afterwards he will rise up and reward them, and render their recompence upon their heads.
But unto them that repent, he granted them return, and comforted those that failed in patience.
Return unto the master, and forsake thy sins, make thy prayer before his face, and offend less.
Turn again to the most High, and turn away from iniquity: for he will lead thee out of darkness into the light of health, and hate thou abomination vehemently.
Who shall praise the most High in the grave, instead of them which live and give thanks?
Thanksgiving perisheth from the dead, as from one that is not: the living and sound in heart shall praise the master.
How great is the lovingkindness of the master our Elohim, and his compassion unto such as turn unto him in holiness!
For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal.
What is brighter than the sun? yet the light thereof faileth; and flesh and blood will imagine evil.
He vieweth the power of the height of shamayim; and all men are but earth and ashes.
Sefarim
Ben Sira18
Sirach / Ecclesiasticus · Chapter 18
He that liveth for ever Hath created all things in general.
The master only is righteous, and there is none other but he,
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.
To whom hath he given power to declare his works? and who shall find out his noble acts?
Who shall number the strength of his majesty? and who shall also tell out his mercies?
As for the wondrous works of the master, there may nothing be taken from them, neither may any thing be put unto them, neither can the ground of them be found out.
When a man hath done, then he beginneth; and when he leaveth off, then he shall be doubtful.
What is man, and whereto serveth he? what is his good, and what is his evil?
The number of a man’s days at the most are an hundred years.
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.
Therefore is Elohim patient with them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.
He saw and perceived their end to be evil; therefore he multiplied his compassion.
The mercy of man is toward his neighbour; but the mercy of the master is upon all flesh: he reproveth, and nurtureth, and teacheth and bringeth again, as a shepherd his flock.
He hath mercy on them that receive discipline, and that diligently seek after his judgments.
My son, blemish not thy good deeds, neither use uncomfortable words when thou givest any thing.
Shall not the dew asswage the heat? so is a word better than a gift.
Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a gracious man.
A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious consumeth the eyes.
Learn before thou speak, and use physick or ever thou be sick.
Before judgment examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy.
Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins shew repentance.
Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified.
Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the master.
Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when he shall turn away his face.
When thou hast enough, remember the time of hunger: and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and need.
From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before the master.
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.
Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise unto him that found her.
They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise themselves, and poured forth exquisite parables.
Go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites.
If thou givest thy nephesh the desires that please her, she will make thee a laughingstock to thine enemies that malign thee.
Take not pleasure in much good cheer, neither be tied to the expence thereof.
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.