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Day 221 of 365

about 14 minutes

Sirach 41-44

Sirach Chapter 41

¹O death, how bitter is the memory of you to a man who is at peace in his possessions, to the man who has nothing to distract him and has prosperity in all things, and who still has strength to enjoy food! ²O death, your sentence is acceptable to a man who is needy and who fails in strength, who is in extreme old age, is distracted about all things, is perverse, and has lost patience! ³Don’t be afraid of the sentence of death. Remember those who have been before you and who come after. This is the sentence from the Lord over all flesh. ⁴And why do you refuse when it is the good pleasure of the Most High? Whether life lasts ten, or a hundred, or a thousand years, there is no inquiry about life in Hades. ⁵The children of sinners are abominable children and they frequent the dwellings of the ungodly. ⁶The inheritance of sinners’ children will perish and with their posterity will be a perpetual disgrace. ⁷Children will complain of an ungodly father, because they suffer disgrace because of him. ⁸Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the Most High God! ⁹If you are born, you will be born to a curse. If you die, a curse will be your portion. ¹⁰All things that are of the earth will go back to the earth; so the ungodly will go from a curse to perdition. ¹¹The mourning of men is about their bodies; but the evil name of sinners will be blotted out. ¹²Have regard for your name, for it continues with you longer than a thousand great treasures of gold. ¹³A good life has its number of days, but a good name continues forever. ¹⁴My children, follow instruction in peace. But wisdom that is hidden and a treasure that is not seen, what benefit is in them both? ¹⁵Better is a man who hides his foolishness than a man who hides his wisdom. ¹⁶Therefore show respect for my words; for it is not good to retain every kind of shame. Not everything is approved by all in good faith. ¹⁷Be ashamed of sexual immorality before father and mother, of a lie before a prince and a mighty man, ¹⁸of an offense before a judge and ruler, of iniquity before the congregation and the people, of unjust dealing before a partner and friend, ¹⁹and of theft in the place where you sojourn. Be ashamed in regard of the truth of God and his covenant, of leaning on your elbow at dinner, of contemptuous behavior in the matter of giving and taking, ²⁰of silence before those who greet you, of looking at a woman who is a prostitute, ²¹of turning away your face from a kinsman, of taking away a portion or a gift, of gazing at a woman who has a husband, ²²of meddling with his maid—and don’t come near her bed, of abusive speech to friends—and after you have given, don’t insult, ²³of repeating and speaking what you have heard, and of revealing of secrets. ²⁴So you will be ashamed of the right things and find favor in the sight of every man.

1: O death, how bitter is the memory of you to a man who is at peace in his possessions, to the man who has nothing to distract him and has prosperity in all things, and who still has strength to enjoy food!

2: O death, your sentence is acceptable to a man who is needy and who fails in strength, who is in extreme old age, is distracted about all things, is perverse, and has lost patience!

3: Don’t be afraid of the sentence of death. Remember those who have been before you and who come after. This is the sentence from the Lord over all flesh.

4: And why do you refuse when it is the good pleasure of the Most High? Whether life lasts ten, or a hundred, or a thousand years, there is no inquiry about life in Hades.

5: The children of sinners are abominable children and they frequent the dwellings of the ungodly.

6: The inheritance of sinners’ children will perish and with their posterity will be a perpetual disgrace.

7: Children will complain of an ungodly father, because they suffer disgrace because of him.

8: Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the Most High God!

9: If you are born, you will be born to a curse. If you die, a curse will be your portion.

10: All things that are of the earth will go back to the earth; so the ungodly will go from a curse to perdition.

11: The mourning of men is about their bodies; but the evil name of sinners will be blotted out.

12: Have regard for your name, for it continues with you longer than a thousand great treasures of gold.

13: A good life has its number of days, but a good name continues forever.

14: My children, follow instruction in peace. But wisdom that is hidden and a treasure that is not seen, what benefit is in them both?

15: Better is a man who hides his foolishness than a man who hides his wisdom.

16: Therefore show respect for my words; for it is not good to retain every kind of shame. Not everything is approved by all in good faith.

17: Be ashamed of sexual immorality before father and mother, of a lie before a prince and a mighty man,

18: of an offense before a judge and ruler, of iniquity before the congregation and the people, of unjust dealing before a partner and friend,

19: and of theft in the place where you sojourn. Be ashamed in regard of the truth of God and his covenant, of leaning on your elbow at dinner, of contemptuous behavior in the matter of giving and taking,

20: of silence before those who greet you, of looking at a woman who is a prostitute,

21: of turning away your face from a kinsman, of taking away a portion or a gift, of gazing at a woman who has a husband,

22: of meddling with his maid—and don’t come near her bed, of abusive speech to friends—and after you have given, don’t insult,

23: of repeating and speaking what you have heard, and of revealing of secrets.

24: So you will be ashamed of the right things and find favor in the sight of every man.

Sirach Chapter 42

¹Don’t be ashamed of these things, and don’t sin to save face: ²of the law of the Most High and his covenant, of judgment to do justice to the ungodly, ³of reckoning with a partner and with travellers, of a gift from the inheritance of friends, ⁴of exactness of scales and weights, of getting much or little, ⁵of bargaining dealing with merchants, of frequent correction of children, and of making the back of an evil slave to bleed. ⁶A seal is good where an evil wife is. Where there are many hands, lock things up. ⁷Whatever you hand over, let it be by number and weight. In giving and receiving, let all be in writing. ⁸Don’t be ashamed to instruct the unwise and foolish, and one of extreme old age who contends with those who are young. So you will be well instructed indeed and approved in the sight of every living man. ⁹A daughter is a secret cause of wakefulness to a father. Care for her takes away sleep— in her youth, lest she pass the flower of her age; when she is married, lest she should be hated; ¹⁰in her virginity, lest she should be defiled and be with child in her father’s house; when she has a husband, lest she should transgress; and when she is married, lest she should be barren. ¹¹Keep a strict watch over a headstrong daughter, lest she make you a laughingstock to your enemies, a byword in the city and notorious among the people, and shame you in public. ¹²Don’t gaze at every beautiful body. Don’t sit in the midst of women. ¹³For from garments comes a moth, and from a woman comes a woman’s wickedness. ¹⁴Better is the wickedness of a man than a pleasant woman, a woman who puts you to shame and disgrace. ¹⁵I will make mention now of the works of the Lord, and will declare the things that I have seen. The Lord’s works are in his words. ¹⁶The sun that gives light looks at all things. The Lord’s work is full of his glory. ¹⁷The Lord has not given power to the saints to declare all his marvelous works, which the Almighty Lord firmly settled, that the universe might be established in his glory. ¹⁸He searches out the deep and the heart. He has understanding of their secrets. For the Most High knows all knowledge. He sees the signs of the world. ¹⁹He declares the things that are past and the things that shall be, and reveals the traces of hidden things. ²⁰No thought escapes him. There is not a word hidden from him. ²¹He has ordered the mighty works of his wisdom. He is from everlasting to everlasting. Nothing has been added to them, nor diminished from them. He had no need of any counselor. ²²How desirable are all his works! One may see this even in a spark. ²³All these things live and remain forever in all manner of uses. They are all obedient. ²⁴All things are in pairs, one opposite the other. He has made nothing imperfect. ²⁵One thing establishes the good things of another. Who could ever see enough of his glory?

1: Don’t be ashamed of these things, and don’t sin to save face:

2: of the law of the Most High and his covenant, of judgment to do justice to the ungodly,

3: of reckoning with a partner and with travellers, of a gift from the inheritance of friends,

4: of exactness of scales and weights, of getting much or little,

5: of bargaining dealing with merchants, of frequent correction of children, and of making the back of an evil slave to bleed.

6: A seal is good where an evil wife is. Where there are many hands, lock things up.

7: Whatever you hand over, let it be by number and weight. In giving and receiving, let all be in writing.

8: Don’t be ashamed to instruct the unwise and foolish, and one of extreme old age who contends with those who are young. So you will be well instructed indeed and approved in the sight of every living man.

9: A daughter is a secret cause of wakefulness to a father. Care for her takes away sleep— in her youth, lest she pass the flower of her age; when she is married, lest she should be hated;

10: in her virginity, lest she should be defiled and be with child in her father’s house; when she has a husband, lest she should transgress; and when she is married, lest she should be barren.

11: Keep a strict watch over a headstrong daughter, lest she make you a laughingstock to your enemies, a byword in the city and notorious among the people, and shame you in public.

12: Don’t gaze at every beautiful body. Don’t sit in the midst of women.

13: For from garments comes a moth, and from a woman comes a woman’s wickedness.

14: Better is the wickedness of a man than a pleasant woman, a woman who puts you to shame and disgrace.

15: I will make mention now of the works of the Lord, and will declare the things that I have seen. The Lord’s works are in his words.

16: The sun that gives light looks at all things. The Lord’s work is full of his glory.

17: The Lord has not given power to the saints to declare all his marvelous works, which the Almighty Lord firmly settled, that the universe might be established in his glory.

18: He searches out the deep and the heart. He has understanding of their secrets. For the Most High knows all knowledge. He sees the signs of the world.

19: He declares the things that are past and the things that shall be, and reveals the traces of hidden things.

20: No thought escapes him. There is not a word hidden from him.

21: He has ordered the mighty works of his wisdom. He is from everlasting to everlasting. Nothing has been added to them, nor diminished from them. He had no need of any counselor.

22: How desirable are all his works! One may see this even in a spark.

23: All these things live and remain forever in all manner of uses. They are all obedient.

24: All things are in pairs, one opposite the other. He has made nothing imperfect.

25: One thing establishes the good things of another. Who could ever see enough of his glory?

Sirach Chapter 43

¹The pride of the heavenly heights is the clear sky, the appearance of heaven, in the spectacle of its glory. ²The sun, when it appears, bringing tidings as it rises, is a marvelous instrument, the work of the Most High. ³At noon, it dries up the land. Who can stand against its burning heat? ⁴A man tending a furnace is in burning heat, but the sun three times more, burning up the mountains, breathing out fiery vapors, and sending out bright beams, it blinds the eyes. ⁵Great is the Lord who made it. At his word, he hastens on its course. ⁶The moon marks the changing seasons, declares times, and is a sign for the world. ⁷From the moon is the sign of feast days, a light that wanes when it completes its course. ⁸The month is called after its name, increasing wonderfully in its changing— an instrument of the army on high, shining in the structure of heaven, ⁹the beauty of heaven, the glory of the stars, an ornament giving light in the highest places of the Lord. ¹⁰At the word of the Holy One, they will stand in due order. They won’t faint in their watches. ¹¹Look at the rainbow, and praise him who made it. It is exceedingly beautiful in its brightness. ¹²It encircles the sky with its glorious circle. The hands of the Most High have stretched it out. ¹³By his commandment, he makes the snow fall and swiftly sends the lightnings of his judgment. ¹⁴Therefore the storehouses are opened, and clouds fly out like birds. ¹⁵By his mighty power, he makes the clouds strong and the hailstones are broken in pieces. ¹⁶At his appearing, the mountains will be shaken. At his will, the south wind will blow. ¹⁷The voice of his thunder rebukes the earth. So does the northern storm and the whirlwind. Like birds flying down, he sprinkles the snow. It falls down like the lighting of locusts. ¹⁸The eye is dazzled at the beauty of its whiteness. The heart is amazed as it falls. ¹⁹He also pours out frost on the earth like salt. When it is freezes, it has points like thorns. ²⁰The cold north wind blows and ice freezes on the water. It settles on every pool of water. The water puts it on like it was a breastplate. ²¹It will devour the mountains, burn up the wilderness, and consume the green grass like fire. ²²A mist coming speedily heals all things. A dew coming after heat brings cheerfulness. ²³By his counsel, he has calmed the deep and planted islands in it. ²⁴Those who sail on the sea tell of its dangers. We marvel when we hear it with our ears. ²⁵There are also those strange and wondrous works in it— variety of all that has life and the huge creatures of the sea. ²⁶Because of him, his messengers succeed. By his word, all things hold together. ²⁷We may say many things, but couldn’t say enough. The summary of our words is, “He is everything!” ²⁸How could we have strength to glorify him? For he is himself the greater than all his works. ²⁹The Lord is awesome and exceedingly great! His power is marvelous! ³⁰Glorify the Lord and exalt him as much as you can! For even yet, he will surpass that. When you exalt him, summon your full strength. Don’t be weary, because you can’t praise him enough. ³¹Who has seen him, that he may describe him? Who can magnify him as he is? ³²Many things greater than these are hidden, for we have seen just a few of his works. ³³For the Lord made all things. He gave wisdom to the godly.

1: The pride of the heavenly heights is the clear sky, the appearance of heaven, in the spectacle of its glory.

2: The sun, when it appears, bringing tidings as it rises, is a marvelous instrument, the work of the Most High.

3: At noon, it dries up the land. Who can stand against its burning heat?

4: A man tending a furnace is in burning heat, but the sun three times more, burning up the mountains, breathing out fiery vapors, and sending out bright beams, it blinds the eyes.

5: Great is the Lord who made it. At his word, he hastens on its course.

6: The moon marks the changing seasons, declares times, and is a sign for the world.

7: From the moon is the sign of feast days, a light that wanes when it completes its course.

8: The month is called after its name, increasing wonderfully in its changing— an instrument of the army on high, shining in the structure of heaven,

9: the beauty of heaven, the glory of the stars, an ornament giving light in the highest places of the Lord.

10: At the word of the Holy One, they will stand in due order. They won’t faint in their watches.

11: Look at the rainbow, and praise him who made it. It is exceedingly beautiful in its brightness.

12: It encircles the sky with its glorious circle. The hands of the Most High have stretched it out.

13: By his commandment, he makes the snow fall and swiftly sends the lightnings of his judgment.

14: Therefore the storehouses are opened, and clouds fly out like birds.

15: By his mighty power, he makes the clouds strong and the hailstones are broken in pieces.

16: At his appearing, the mountains will be shaken. At his will, the south wind will blow.

17: The voice of his thunder rebukes the earth. So does the northern storm and the whirlwind. Like birds flying down, he sprinkles the snow. It falls down like the lighting of locusts.

18: The eye is dazzled at the beauty of its whiteness. The heart is amazed as it falls.

19: He also pours out frost on the earth like salt. When it is freezes, it has points like thorns.

20: The cold north wind blows and ice freezes on the water. It settles on every pool of water. The water puts it on like it was a breastplate.

21: It will devour the mountains, burn up the wilderness, and consume the green grass like fire.

22: A mist coming speedily heals all things. A dew coming after heat brings cheerfulness.

23: By his counsel, he has calmed the deep and planted islands in it.

24: Those who sail on the sea tell of its dangers. We marvel when we hear it with our ears.

25: There are also those strange and wondrous works in it— variety of all that has life and the huge creatures of the sea.

26: Because of him, his messengers succeed. By his word, all things hold together.

27: We may say many things, but couldn’t say enough. The summary of our words is, “He is everything!”

28: How could we have strength to glorify him? For he is himself the greater than all his works.

29: The Lord is awesome and exceedingly great! His power is marvelous!

30: Glorify the Lord and exalt him as much as you can! For even yet, he will surpass that. When you exalt him, summon your full strength. Don’t be weary, because you can’t praise him enough.

31: Who has seen him, that he may describe him? Who can magnify him as he is?

32: Many things greater than these are hidden, for we have seen just a few of his works.

33: For the Lord made all things. He gave wisdom to the godly.

Sirach Chapter 44

¹Let us now praise famous men, our ancestors in their generations. ²The Lord created great glory in them— his mighty power from the beginning. ³Some ruled in their kingdoms and were men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding. Some have spoken in prophecies, ⁴leaders of the people by their counsels, and by their understanding, giving instruction for the people. Their words in their instruction were wise. ⁵Some composed musical tunes, and set forth verses in writing, ⁶rich men endowed with ability, living peaceably in their homes. ⁷All these were honored in their generations, and were outstanding in their days. ⁸Some of them have left a name behind them, so that others declare their praises. ⁹But of others, there is no memory. They perished as though they had not been. They become as though they had not been born, they and their children after them. ¹⁰But these were men of mercy, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten. ¹¹A good inheritance remains with their offspring. Their children are within the covenant. ¹²Their offspring stand fast, with their children, for their sakes. ¹³Their offspring will remain forever. Their glory won’t be blotted out. ¹⁴Their bodies were buried in peace. Their name lives to all generations. ¹⁵People will declare their wisdom. The congregation proclaims their praise. ¹⁶Enoch pleased the Lord, and was taken up, an example of repentance to all generations. ¹⁷Noah was found perfect and righteous. In the season of wrath, he kept the race alive. Therefore a remnant was left on the earth when the flood came. ¹⁸Everlasting covenants were made with him, that all flesh should no more be blotted out by a flood. ¹⁹Abraham was a great father of a multitude of nations. There was none found like him in glory, ²⁰who kept the law of the Most High, and was taken into covenant with him. In his flesh he established the covenant. When he was tested, he was found faithful. ²¹Therefore he assured him by an oath that the nations would be blessed through his offspring, that he would multiply him like the dust of the earth, exalt his offspring like the stars, and cause them to inherit from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates River to the utmost parts of the earth. ²²In Isaac also, he established the same assurance for Abraham his father’s sake, the blessing of all men, and the covenant. ²³He made it rest upon the head of Jacob. He acknowledged him in his blessings, gave to him by inheritance, and divided his portions. He distributed them among twelve tribes.

1: Let us now praise famous men, our ancestors in their generations.

2: The Lord created great glory in them— his mighty power from the beginning.

3: Some ruled in their kingdoms and were men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding. Some have spoken in prophecies,

4: leaders of the people by their counsels, and by their understanding, giving instruction for the people. Their words in their instruction were wise.

5: Some composed musical tunes, and set forth verses in writing,

6: rich men endowed with ability, living peaceably in their homes.

7: All these were honored in their generations, and were outstanding in their days.

8: Some of them have left a name behind them, so that others declare their praises.

9: But of others, there is no memory. They perished as though they had not been. They become as though they had not been born, they and their children after them.

10: But these were men of mercy, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten.

11: A good inheritance remains with their offspring. Their children are within the covenant.

12: Their offspring stand fast, with their children, for their sakes.

13: Their offspring will remain forever. Their glory won’t be blotted out.

14: Their bodies were buried in peace. Their name lives to all generations.

15: People will declare their wisdom. The congregation proclaims their praise.

16: Enoch pleased the Lord, and was taken up, an example of repentance to all generations.

17: Noah was found perfect and righteous. In the season of wrath, he kept the race alive. Therefore a remnant was left on the earth when the flood came.

18: Everlasting covenants were made with him, that all flesh should no more be blotted out by a flood.

19: Abraham was a great father of a multitude of nations. There was none found like him in glory,

20: who kept the law of the Most High, and was taken into covenant with him. In his flesh he established the covenant. When he was tested, he was found faithful.

21: Therefore he assured him by an oath that the nations would be blessed through his offspring, that he would multiply him like the dust of the earth, exalt his offspring like the stars, and cause them to inherit from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates River to the utmost parts of the earth.

22: In Isaac also, he established the same assurance for Abraham his father’s sake, the blessing of all men, and the covenant.

23: He made it rest upon the head of Jacob. He acknowledged him in his blessings, gave to him by inheritance, and divided his portions. He distributed them among twelve tribes.

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Scripture text: World English Bible, Catholic Edition (WEBC) — public domain

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