Sir 17:13 Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard his glorious voice.

Sir 17:14 And he said unto them, Beware of all unrighteousness; and he gave every man commandment concerning his neighbour.

Sir 17:15 Their ways are ever before him, and shall not be hid from his eyes.

Sir 17:16 Every man from his youth is given to evil; neither could they make to themselves fleshy hearts for stony.

Sir 17:17 For in the division of the nations of the whole earth he set a ruler over every people; but Israel is the Lord's portion:

Sir 17:18 Whom, being his firstborn, he nourisheth with discipline, and giving him the light of his love doth not forsake him.

Sir 17:19 Therefore all their works are as the sun before him, and his eyes are continually upon their ways.

Sir 17:20 None of their unrighteous deeds are hid from him, but all their sins are before the Lord

Sir 17:21 But the Lord being gracious and knowing his workmanship, neither left nor forsook them, but spared them.

Sir 17:22 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.

Sir 17:23 Afterwards he will rise up and reward them, and render their recompence upon their heads.

Sir 17:24 But unto them that repent, he granted them return, and comforted those that failed in patience.

Sir 17:25 Return unto the Lord, and forsake thy sins, make thy prayer before his face, and offend less.

Sir 17:26 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.

Sir 17:27 Who shall praise the most High in the grave, instead of them which live and give thanks?

Sir 17:28 Thanksgiving perisheth from the dead, as from one that is not: the living and sound in heart shall praise the Lord.

Sir 17:29 How great is the lovingkindness of the Lord our G.o.d, and his compa.s.sion unto such as turn unto him in holiness!

Sir 17:30 For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal.

Sir 17:31 What is brighter than the sun? yet the light thereof faileth; and flesh and blood will imagine evil.

Sir 17:32 He vieweth the power of the height of heaven; and all men are but earth and ashes.

Sir 18:1 He that liveth for ever Hath created all things in general.

Sir 18:2 The Lord only is righteous, and there is none other but he,

Sir 18:3 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.

Sir 18:4 To whom hath he given power to declare his works? and who shall find out his n.o.ble acts?

Sir 18:5 Who shall number the strength of his majesty? and who shall also tell out his mercies?

Sir 18:6 As for the wondrous works of the Lord, there may nothing be taken from them, neither may any thing be put unto them, neither can the ground of them be found out.

Sir 18:7 When a man hath done, then he beginneth; and when he leaveth off, then he shall be doubtful.

Sir 18:8 What is man, and whereto serveth he? what is his good, and what is his evil?

Sir 18:9 The number of a man's days at the most are an hundred years.

Sir 18:10 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.

Sir 18:11 Therefore is G.o.d patient with them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.

Sir 18:12 He saw and perceived their end to be evil; therefore he multiplied his compa.s.sion.

Sir 18:13 The mercy of man is toward his neighbour; but the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh: he reproveth, and nurtureth, and teacheth and bringeth again, as a shepherd his flock.

Sir 18:14 He hath mercy on them that receive discipline, and that diligently seek after his judgments.

Sir 18:15 My son, blemish not thy good deeds, neither use uncomfortable words when thou givest any thing.

Sir 18:16 Shall not the dew a.s.swage the heat? so is a word better than a gift.

Sir 18:17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a gracious man.

Sir 18:18 A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious consumeth the eyes.

Sir 18:19 Learn before thou speak, and use physick or ever thou be sick.

Sir 18:20 Before judgment examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy.

Sir 18:21 Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins shew repentance.

Sir 18:22 Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified.

Sir 18:23 Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the Lord.

Sir 18:24 Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when he shall turn away his face.

Sir 18:25 When thou hast enough, remember the time of hunger: and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and need.

Sir 18:26 From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before the Lord.

Sir 18:27 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.

Sir 18:28 Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise unto him that found her.

Sir 18:29 They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise themselves, and poured forth exquisite parables.

Sir 18:30 Go not after thy l.u.s.ts, but refrain thyself from thine appet.i.tes.