Sirach 18

Old Testament · Brenton Septuagint with Greek parallel

Sirach 18

1He that lives for ever Hath created all things in general.Ὁ ζῶν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἔκτισε τὰ πάντα κοινῇ.

2The Lord only is righteous, and there is none other but he,Κύριος μόνος δικαιωθήσεται.

3Who governs 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.

4To whom has he given power to declare his works? and who shall find out his noble acts?Οὐθενὶ ἐξεποίησεν ἐξαγγεῖλαι τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ· καὶ τίς ἐξιχνιάσει τὰ μεγαλεῖα αὐτοῦ;

5Who shall number the strength of his majesty? and who shall also tell out his mercies?Κράτος μεγαλωσύνης αὐτοῦ τίς ἐξαριθμήσεται; καὶ τίς προσθήσει ἐκδιηγήσασθαι τὰ ἐλέη αὐτοῦ;

6As for the wondrous works of the Lord, there may nothing be taken from them, neither may any thing be put to them, neither can the ground of them be found out.Οὐκ ἔστιν ἐλαττῶσαι οὐδὲ προσθεῖναι, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐξιχνιάσαι τὰ θαυμάσια τοῦ Κυρίου.

7When a man has done, then he begins; and when he leaves off, then he shall be doubtful.Ὅταν συντελέσῃ ἄνθρωπος τότε ἄρχεται, καὶ ὅταν παύσηται τότε ἀπορηθήσεται.

8What is man, and whereto serves he? what is his good, and what is his evil?Τί ἄνθρωπος, καὶ τί ἡ χρῆσις αὐτοῦ; τί τὸ ἀγαθὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ τί τὸ κακὸν αὐτοῦ;

9The number of a man's days at the most are one hundred years.Ἀριθμὸς ἡμερῶν ἀνθρώπου πολλὰ ἔτη ἑκατόν.

10As a drop of water to the sea, and a gravelstone in comparison of the sand; so are a thousand years to the days of eternity.Ὡς σταγὼν ὕδατος ἀπὸ θαλάσσης καὶ ψῆφος ἄμμου, οὕτως ὀλίγα ἔτη ἐν ἡμέρᾳ αἰῶνος.

11Therefore is God patient with them, and pours forth his mercy upon them.Διὰ τοῦτο ἐμακροθύμησε Κύριος ἐπʼ αὐτοῖς, καὶ ἐξέχεεν ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ.

12He saw and perceived their end to be evil; therefore he multiplied his compassion.Εἶδε καὶ ἐπέγνω τὴν καταστροφὴν αὐτῶν ὅτι πονηρὰ, διὰ τοῦτο ἐπλήθυνε τὸν ἐξιλασμὸν αὐτοῦ.

13The mercy of man is toward his neighbor; but the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh: he reproves, and nurtures, and teaches and brings again, as a shepherd his flock.Ἔλεος ἄνθρώπου ἐπὶ τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ, ἔλεος δὲ Κυρίου ἐπὶ πᾶσαν σάρκα, ἐλέγχων καὶ παιδεύων καὶ διδάσκων καὶ ἐπιστρέφων ὡς ποιμὴν τὸ ποίμνιον αὐτοῦ.

14He has mercy on them that receive discipline, and that diligently seek after his judgments.Τοὺς ἐκδεχομένους παιδείαν ἐλεεῖ, καὶ τοὺς κατασπεύδοντας ἐπὶ τὰ κρίματα αὐτοῦ.

15My son, blemish not your good deeds, neither use uncomfortable words when you give any thing.Τέκνον, ἐν ἀγαθοῖς μὴ δῷς μῶμον, καὶ ἐν πάσῃ δόσει λύπην λόγων.

16Shall not the dew asswage the heat? so is a word better than a gift.Οὐχὶ καύσωνα ἀναπαύσει δρόσος; οὕτως κρείσσων λόγος ἢ δόσις.

17Behold, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a gracious man.Οὐκ ἰδοὺ λόγος ὑπὲρ δόμα ἀγαθόν; καὶ ἀμφότερα παρὰ ἀνδρὶ κεχαριτωμένῳ.

18A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious consumes the eyes.Μωρὸς ἀχαρίστως ὀνειδιεῖ, καὶ δόσις βασκάνου ἐκτήκει ὀφθαλμούς.

19Learn before you speak, and use physick or ever you be sick.Πρινὴ λαλῆσαι μάνθανε, καὶ πρὸ ἀῤῥωστίας θεραπεύου.

20Before judgment examine yourself, and in the day of visitation you shall find mercy.Πρὸ κρίσεως ἐξέταζε σεαυτόν, καὶ ἐν ὥρᾳ ἐπισκοπῆς εὑρήσεις ἐξιλασμόν.

21Humble yourself before you be sick, and in the time of sins show repentance.Πρὶν ἀῤῥωστῆσαί σε ταπεινώθητι, καὶ ἐν καιρῷ ἁμαρτημάτων δεῖξον ἐπιστροφήν.

22Let nothing hinder you to pay your vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified.Μὴ ἐμποδισθῇς τοῦ ἀποδοῦναι εὐχὴν εὐκαίρως, καὶ μὴ μείνῃς ἕως θανάτου δικαιωθῆναι.

23Before you pray, prepare yourself; and be not as one that tempts the Lord.Πρὶν εὔξασθαι ἑτοίμασον σεαυτὸν, και μὴ γίνου ὡς ἄνθρωπος πειράζων τὸν Κύριον.

24Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when he shall turn away his face.Μνήσθητι θυμοῦ ἐν ἡμέραις τελευτῆς, καὶ καιρὸν ἐκδικήσεως ἐν ἀποστροφῇ προσώπου.

25When you have enough, remember the time of hunger: and when you are rich, think upon poverty and need.Μνήσθητι καιρὸν λιμοῦ ἐν καιρῷ πλησμονῆς, πτωχείαν καὶ ἔνδειαν ἐν ἡμέραις πλούτου.

26From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before the Lord.Ἀπὸ πρωΐθεν ἕως ἑσπέρας μεταβάλλει καιρὸς, καὶ πάντα ἐστὶ ταχινὰ ἔναντι Κυρίου.

27A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the day of sinning he will beware of offense: but a fool will not observe time.Ἄνθρωπος σοφὸς ἐν παντὶ εὐλαβηθήσεται, καὶ ἐν ἡμέραις ἁμαρτιῶν προσέξει ἀπὸ πλημμελείας·

28Every man of understanding knows wisdom, and will give praise to him that found her.πᾶς συνετὸς ἔγνω σοφίαν, καὶ τῷ εὑρόντι αὐτὴν δώσει ἐξομολόγησιν.

29They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise themselves, and poured forth exquisite parables.Συνετοὶ ἐν λόγοις καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐσοφίσαντο, καὶ ἀνώμβρησαν παροιμίας ἀκριβεῖς. ἘΓΚΡΑΤΕΙΑ ΨΥΧΗΣ.

30Go not after your lusts, but refrain yourself from your appetites.Ὀπίσω τῶν ἐπιθυμιῶν σου μὴ πορεύου, καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν ὀρέξεών σου κωλύου.

31If you give your soul the desires that please her, she will make you a laughing stock to your enemies that malign you.Ἐὰν χορηγήσεῃς τῇ ψυχῇ σου εὐδοκίαν ἐπιθυμίας, ποιήσει σε ἐπίχαρμα τῶν ἐχθρῶν σου.

32Take not pleasure in much good cheer, neither be tied to the expense thereof.Μὴ εὐφραίνου ἐπὶ πολλῇ τρυφῇ, μηδὲ προσδεθῇς συμβολῇ αὐτῆς.

33Be not made a beggar by banqueting upon borrowing, when you have nothing in your purse: for you shall lie in wait for your own life, and be talked on.Μὴ γίνου πτωχὸς συμβολοκοπῶν ἐκ δανεισμοῦ, καὶ οὐδέν σοι ἐστὶν ἐν μαρσυπείῳ.