Sirach 43
43
1The pride of the heights
is the clear heavenly vault,
the appearance of the sky
in a vision of glory.
2The sun, when it appears,
announces at its rising
what an amazing thing it is,
a work of the Most High.
3At noon it dries up the land,
and who can endure its burning heat?
4A person blows on a furnace,
working in its burning heat,
but the sun is three times hotter
when it burns up mountains.
When it breathes out fiery vapors,
and shines forth its rays, it blinds eyes.
5Great is the Lord who made it;
it speeds on its course by his command.
6The moon stands at its proper time,#43.6 Heb The moon indicates the seasons
a notification of times
and an everlasting sign.
7The sign for a feast comes from the moon,
a luminous body that wanes
when it completes its course.
8The new moon shares the character
of its name,#43.8 Heb The new moon, like its name, renews itself.
increasing wonderfully as it changes,
a signal on high for armies,#43.8 Heb a military beaconfor the clouds on high
shining in the vault of the sky.
9The stars’ glory is the sky’s beauty,
shining ornaments
in the heights of the Lord.
10They stand at the words of the holy one,
just as he orders,
and they will never grow tired
as they keep watch.
11Look at the rainbow,
exceedingly beautiful in its brightness,
and bless the one who made it.
12It encircled the sky with a glorious ring;
the Lord’s hands stretched it out.
13He drives the snow forward
by his command,
and he speeds the lightning bolts
of his judgment on their way.
14To this end, the storehouses are opened,
and clouds fly out like birds.
15In his might he subdues clouds,
and stones are broken apart for hail.
17 # 43.17 Gk scourge The sound of his thunder
scolds the earth,
16and mountains will be shaken
when he appears.
The south wind blows by his will,
17 # 43.17 The title appears in Gk manuscripts. as do storms from the north
and whirlwinds.
He sprinkles the snow
like birds flying down,
and its descent is like locusts alighting.
18The eye marvels at its beautiful whiteness,
and the heart is amazed
at its showering down.
19He pours frost, like salt, upon the earth,
and when it freezes it has pointy thorns.
20A cold north wind will blow,
and ice will freeze on the water;
it will settle on every pool of water,
and the water will put it on like armor.
21He will consume mountains,
burn up the wilderness,
and extinguish grass like a fire.
22A mist hastens the healing of all things;
the dew that appears
will give relief from the heat.
23By his calculations, he stilled the deep,
and he planted islands in it.
24Those who sail the sea
describe its danger,
and we are amazed at what we hear.
25Incredible and amazing works are there,
all sorts of living things,
great sea monsters.
26Because of him, each messenger succeeds,
and all things hold together by his word.
27We could say many things
and never say enough.
The final word is: The Lord is “the All.”
28Where will we find the strength
to glorify him?
For God is great beyond all his works.
29The Lord is awesome and very great,
and his power is marvelous.
30Glorify the Lord,
and exalt him as much as you can:
he surpasses even that.
Exalt him, increase your strength,
and don’t grow tired:
you will never say enough.
31Who has seen him and will describe him?
Whose praises of him
will match what he really is?
32There are many hidden things
greater than these,
for we have seen only
a few of his works.
33The Lord made everything,
and he gave wisdom to the godly.
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Sirach 43: CEB
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