Wisdom of Sirach 18

1 Ο ΖΩΝ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἔκτισε τὰ πάντα κοινῇ·

1 He that lives for ever Hath created all things in general.

2 Κύριος μόνος δικαιωθήσεται. [καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλος πλὴν αὐτοῦ

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

3 οἰακίζων τὸν κόσμον ἐν σπιθαμῇ χειρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ πάντα ὑπακούει τῷ θελήματι αὐτοῦ, αὐτὸς γὰρ βασιλεὺς πάντων ἐν κράτει αὐτοῦ, διαστέλλων ἐν αὐτοῖς ἅγια ἀπὸ βεβήλων].

3 Who 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 amongst them from profane.

4 οὐθενὶ ἐξεποίησεν ἐξαγγεῖλαι τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ· καὶ τίς ἐξιχνιάσει τὰ μεγαλεῖα αὐτοῦ;

4 To whom has he given power to declare his works? and who shall find out his noble acts?

5 κράτος μεγαλωσύνης αὐτοῦ τίς ἐξαριθμήσεται; καὶ τίς προσθήσει ἐκδιηγήσασθαι τὰ ἐλέη αὐτοῦ;

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

6 οὐκ ἔστιν ἐλαττῶσαι οὐδὲ προσθεῖναι, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐξιχνιάσαι τὰ θαυμάσια τοῦ Κυρίου·

6 As 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.

7 ὅταν συντελέσῃ ἄνθρωπος, τότε ἄρχεται, καὶ ὅταν παύσηται, τότε ἀπορηθήσεται.

7 When a man has done, then he begins; and when he leaves off, then he shall be doubtful.

8 τί ἄνθωπος καὶ τί ἡ χρῆσις αὐτοῦ; τί τὸ ἀγαθὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ τί τὸ κακὸν αὐτοῦ;

8 What is man, and whereto serves he? what is his good, and what is his evil?

9 ἀριθμὸς ἡμερῶν ἀνθρώπου πολλὰ ἔτη ἑκατόν·

9 The number of a man's days at the most are one hundred years.

10 ὡς σταγὼν ὕδατος ἀπὸ θαλάσσης καὶ ψῆφος ἄμμου, οὕτως ὀλίγα ἔτη ἐν ἡμέρᾳ αἰῶνος.

10 As 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.

11 διὰ τοῦτο ἐμακροθύμησε Κύριος ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐξέχεεν ἐπ᾿ αὐτοὺς τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ.

11 Therefore is God patient with them, and pours forth his mercy upon them.

12 εἶδε καὶ ἐπέγνω τὴν καταστροφὴν αὐτῶν ὅτι πονηρά· διὰ τοῦτο ἐπλήθυνε τὸν ἐξιλασμὸν αὐτοῦ.

12 He saw and perceived their end to be evil; therefore he multiplied his compassion.

13 ἔλεος ἀνθρώπου ἐπὶ τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ, ἔλεος δὲ Κυρίου ἐπὶ πᾶσαν σάρκα· ἐλέγχων καὶ παιδεύων καὶ διδάσκων καὶ ἐπιστρέφων ὡς ποιμὴν τὸ ποίμνιον αὐτοῦ.

13 The mercy of man is towards his neighbour; but the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh: he reproves, and nurtures, and teaches and brings again, as a shepherd his flock.

14 τοὺς ἐκδεχομένους παιδείαν ἐλεᾷ καὶ τοὺς κατασπεύδοντας ἐπὶ τὰ κρίματα αὐτοῦ.

14 He has mercy on them that receive discipline, and that diligently seek after his judgements.

15 Τέκνον, ἐν ἀγαθοῖς μὴ δῷς μῶμον καὶ ἐν πάσῃ δόσει λύπην λόγων.

15 My son, blemish not your good deeds, neither use uncomfortable words when you give any thing.

16 οὐχὶ καύσωνα ἀναπαύσει δρόσος; οὕτως κρείσσων λόγος ἢ δόσις.

16 Shall not the dew asswage the heat? so is a word better than a gift.

17 οὐκ ἰδοὺ λόγος ὑπὲρ δόμα ἀγαθόν; καὶ ἀμφότερα παρὰ ἀνδρὶ κεχαριτωμένῳ.

17 Behold, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a gracious man.

18 μωρὸς ἀχαρίστως ὀνειδιεῖ, καὶ δόσις βασκάνου ἐκτήκει ὀφθαλμούς.

18 A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious consumes the eyes.

19 πρὶν ἢ λαλῆσαι μάνθανε, καὶ πρὸ ἀρρωστίας θεραπεύου.

19 Learn before you speak, and use physick or ever you be sick.

20 πρὸ κρίσεως ἐξέταζε σεαυτόν, καὶ ἐν ὥρᾳ ἐπισκοπῆς εὑρήσεις ἐξιλασμόν.

20 Before judgement examine yourself, and in the day of visitation you shall find mercy.

21 πρὶν ἀρρωστῆσαί σε ταπεινώθητι καὶ ἐν καιρῷ ἁμαρτημάτων δεῖξον ἐπιστροφήν.

21 Humble yourself before you be sick, and in the time of sins show repentance.

22 μὴ ἐμποδισθῇς τοῦ ἀποδοῦναι εὐχὴν εὐκαίρως, καὶ μὴ μείνῃς ἕως θανάτου δικαιωθῆναι.

22 Let nothing hinder you to pay your vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified.

23 πρὶν εὔξασθαι, ἑτοίμασον σεαυτὸν καὶ μὴ γίνου ὡς ἄνθρωπος πειράζων τὸν Κύριον.

23 Before you pray, prepare yourself; and be not as one that tempts the Lord.

24 μνήσθητι θυμοῦ ἐν ἡμέραις τελευτῆς καὶ καιρὸν ἐκδικήσεως ἐν ἀποστροφῇ προσώπου.

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

25 μνήσθητι καιρὸν λιμοῦ ἐν καιρῷ πλησμονῆς, πτωχείαν καὶ ἔνδειαν ἐν ἡμέραις πλούτου.

25 When you have enough, remember the time of hunger: and when you are rich, think upon poverty and need.

26 ἀπὸ πρωΐθεν ἕως ἑσπέρας μεταβάλλει καιρός, καὶ πάντα ἐστὶ ταχινὰ ἔναντι Κυρίου.

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

27 ἄνθρωπος σοφὸς ἐν παντὶ εὐλαβηθήσεται καὶ ἐν ἡμέραις ἁμαρτιῶν προσέξει ἀπὸ πλημμελείας.

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.

28 πᾶς συνετὸς ἔγνω σοφίαν καὶ τῷ εὑρόντι αὐτὴν δώσει ἐξομολόγησιν.

28 Every man of understanding knows wisdom, and will give praise to him that found her.

29 συνετοὶ ἐν λόγοις καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐσοφίσαντο καὶ ἀνώμβρησαν παροιμίας ἀκριβεῖς.

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