35:7. For all these things are to be done because of the commandment of G.o.d.
35:8. The oblation of the just maketh the altar fat, and is an odour of sweetness in the sight of the most High.
35:9. The sacrifice of the just is acceptable, and the Lord will not forget the memorial thereof.
35:10. Give glory to G.o.d with a good heart: and diminish not the firstfruits of thy hands.
35:11. In every gift shew a cheerful countenance, and sanctify thy t.i.thes with joy.
35:12. Give to the most High according to what he hath given to thee, and with a good eye do according to the ability of thy hands:
35:13. For the Lord maketh recompense, and will give thee seven times as much.
35:14. Do not offer wicked gifts, for such he will not receive.
35:15. And look not upon an unjust sacrifice, for the Lord is judge, and there is not with him respect of person.
35:16. The Lord will not accept any person against a poor man, and he will hear the prayer of him that is wronged.
35:17. He will not despise the prayers of the fatherless: nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint.
35:18. Do not the widow"s tears run down the cheek, and her cry against him that causeth them to fall?
35:19. For from the cheek they go up even to heaven, and the Lord that heareth will not be delighted with them.
35:20. He that adoreth G.o.d with joy, shall be accepted, and his prayer shall approach even to the clouds.
35:21. The prayer of him that humbleth himself, shall pierce the clouds: and till it come nigh he will not be comforted: and he will not depart till the most High behold.
35:22. And the Lord will not be slack, but will judge for the just, and will do judgment: and the Almighty will not have patience with them, that he may crush their back:
35:23. And he will repay vengeance to the Gentiles, till he have taken away the mult.i.tude of the proud, and broken the sceptres of the unjust,
35:24. Till he have rendered to men according to their deeds: and according to the works of Adam, and according to his presumption,
35:25. Till he have judged the cause of his people, and he shall delight the just with his mercy.
35:26. The mercy of G.o.d is beautiful in the time of affliction, as a cloud of rain in the time of drought.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 36
A prayer for the church of G.o.d. Of a good heart, and a good wife.
36:1. Have mercy upon us, O G.o.d of all, and behold us, and shew us the light of thy mercies:
36:2. And send thy fear upon the nations, that have not sought after thee: that they may know that there is no G.o.d beside thee, and that they may shew forth thy wonders.
36:3. Lift up thy hand over the strange nations, that they may see thy power.
36:4. For as thou hast been sanctified in us in their sight, so thou shalt be magnified among them in our presence,
36:5. That they may know thee, as we also have known thee, that there is no G.o.d beside thee, O Lord.
36:6. Renew thy signs, and work new miracles.
36:7. Glorify thy hand, and thy right arm.
36:8. Raise up indignation, and pour out wrath.
36:9. Take away the adversary, and crush the enemy.
36:10. Hasten the time, and remember the end, that they may declare thy wonderful works.
36:11. Let him that escapeth be consumed by the rage of the fire: and let them perish that oppress thy people.
36:12. Crush the head of the princes of the enemies that say: There is no other beside us.
36:13. Gather together all the tribes of Jacob: that they may know that there no G.o.d besides thee, and may declare thy great works: and thou shalt inherit them as from the beginning.
36:14. Have mercy on thy people, upon whom thy name is invoked: and upon Israel, whom thou hast raised up to be thy firstborn.
36:15. Have mercy on Jerusalem, the city which thou hast sanctified, the city of thy rest.
36:16. Fill Sion with thy unspeakable words, and thy people with thy glory.
36:17. Give testimony to them that are thy creatures from the beginning, and raise up the prophecies which the former prophets spoke in thy name.
36:18. Reward them that patiently wait for thee, that thy prophets may be found faithful: and hear the prayers of thy servants,
36:19. According to the blessing of Aaron over thy people, and direct us into the way of justice, and let all know that dwell upon the earth, that thou art G.o.d the beholder of all ages.
36:20. The belly will devour all meat, yet one is better than another.
36:21. The palate tasteth venison and the wise heart false speeches.
36:22. A perverse heart will cause grief, and a man of experience will resist it.
36:23. A woman will receive every man: yet one daughter is better than another.
A woman will receive every man... That is, any man that her parents propose to her to marry, though she does not like him, but marries in obedience to her parents, who make the choice for her.
36:24. The beauty of a woman cheereth the countenance of her husband, and a man desireth nothing more.
36:25. If she have a tongue that can cure, and likewise mitigate and shew mercy: her husband is not like other men.
36:26. He that possesseth a good wife, beginneth a possession: she is a help like to himself, and a pillar of rest.
36:27. Where there is no hedge, the possession shall be spoiled: and where there is no wife, he mourneth that is in want.