Ecclesiasticus 18
18
The Greatness of God
1 #
Gen 1.1-31. He that liveth for ever created all things in general. 2The Lord only is righteous, and there is none other but he, 3who 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. 4#Ps 106.2. To whom hath he given power to declare his works? and who shall find out his noble acts? 5Who shall number the strength of his majesty? and who shall also tell out his mercies? 6As 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. 7When a man hath done, then he beginneth; and when he leaveth off, then he shall be doubtful.
The Limitations of Man
8 #
Job 7.17; Ps 8.4. What is man, and whereto serveth he? what is his good, and what is his evil? 9The number of a man's days at the most are an hundred years. 10#Ps 90.4; 2 Pet 3.8. 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. 11Therefore is God patient with them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them. 12He saw and perceived their end to be evil; therefore he multiplied his compassion. 13#Lev 19.18; Ps 145.9. The mercy of man is toward his neighbor; but the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh: he reproveth, and nurtureth, and teacheth, and bringeth again, as a shepherd his flock. 14He hath mercy on them that receive discipline, and that diligently seek after his judgments.
Alms with a Gracious Word
15My son, blemish not thy good deeds, neither use uncomfortable words when thou givest any thing. 16Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so is a word better than a gift. 17Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a gracious man. 18A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious consumeth the eyes.
19Learn before thou speak, and use physic or ever thou be sick. 20#1 Cor 11.31. Before judgment examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy. 21Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins show repentance. 22#Deut 23.21; Eccl 5.4. Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified. 23Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the Lord. 24Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when he shall turn away his face. 25When thou hast enough, remember the time of hunger: and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and need. 26From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before the Lord. 27#Prov 28.14. A 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. 28Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise unto him that found her. 29They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise themselves, and poured forth exquisite parables.
Self-control
30 #
Rom 13.14; 1 Pet 2.11. Go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites. 31If thou givest thy soul the desires that please her, she will make thee a laughingstock to thine enemies that malign thee. 32Take not pleasure in much good cheer, neither be tied to the expense thereof. 33Be 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.
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Ecclesiasticus 18: KJVAAE
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King James Version 1611, spelling, punctuation and text formatting modernized by ABS in 1962; typesetting © 2010 American Bible Society.