The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Son of Sirach 35
1 He who keeps the law multiplies offerings.
He who heeds the commandments
sacrifices a peace offering.
2 He who returns a kindness offers fine
flour. He who gives alms sacrifices a thank
offering.
3 To depart from wickedness pleases the
Lord. To depart from unrighteousness is an
atoning sacrifice.
4 See that you don’t appear in the presence
of the Lord empty.
5 For all these things are done because
of the commandment.
6 The offering of the righteous enriches the
altar. The sweet fragrance of it is before the
Most High.
7 The sacrifice of a righteous man is acceptable.
It won’t be forgotten.
8 Glorify the Lord with generosity.
Don’t reduce the first fruits of your
hands.
9 In every gift show a cheerful countenance,
And dedicate your tithe with gladness.
10 Give to the Most High according as he
has given. As your hand has found, give generously.
11 For the Lord repays, and he will repay
you sevenfold.
12 Don’t plan to bribe him with gifts, for he
will not receive them. Don’t set your mind
on an unrighteous sacrifice, For the Lord
is the judge, and with him is no
respect of persons.
13 He won’t accept any person against a
poor man. He will listen to the prayer
of him who is wronged.
14 He will in no way despise the supplication
of the fatherless or the widow, when
she pours out her tale.
15 Don’t the tears of the widow run down
her cheek? Isn’t her cry against him who has
caused them to fall?
16 He who serves God according to his good
pleasure will be accepted. His supplication
will reach to the clouds.
17 The prayer of the humble pierces the
clouds. until it comes near, he will not be comforted.
He won’t depart until the Most High visits
and he judges righteously and executes judgment.
18 And the Lord will not be slack, neither
will he be patient toward them, until he
has crushed the loins of the unmerciful.
He will repay vengeance to the heathen
until he has taken away the multitude
of the arrogant and broken in pieces
the sceptres of the unrighteous,
19 until he has rendered to every man
according to his deeds, and repaid the
works of men according to their plans,
until he has judged the cause of his
people, and he will make them rejoice in his
mercy.
20 Mercy is as welcome in the time of his
affliction, as clouds of raininthe time ofdrought.