Sirach 35
35
1Obeying the Law
of the Lord
is the same
as bringing him many gifts,
2and obeying his commands
is like offering a sacrifice
to ask his blessing.#35.2 sacrifice to ask his blessing: These sacrifices have traditionally been called “peace offerings” or “offerings of well-being.” A main purpose was to ask for the Lord's blessing, and so in the CEV they are sometimes called “sacrifices to ask the Lord's blessing.”
3Showing kindness to someone
who has been kind to you
is like offering a sacrifice
to give thanks to the Lord.#35.3 sacrifice to give thanks to the Lord: These sacrifices have traditionally been called “grain offerings.” A main purpose of such sacrifices was to thank the Lord with a gift of grain, and so in the CEV they are sometimes called “sacrifices to give thanks to the Lord.”
4And giving to the poor
is offering a sacrifice
that gives the Lord praise.
5So please the Lord
and seek his forgiveness,
by staying away from evil.
6However, do not come
to worship the Lord
without bringing him a gift
7as his Law commands.
8When one of God's people
burns the fat of a sacrifice,
God Most High is pleased
with the smell of the smoke
rising from the altar.
9 #
2 Co 9.7. Such sacrifices
are acceptable to God
and will not be forgotten.
10When you offer to the Lord
the first part of the harvest
or a sacrifice to give thanks,
be generous—not stingy.
11Be happy and cheerful
when you give him a gift
or a tenth of your harvest.
12Be as generous with the Lord
as he has been with you.
13Remember! The Lord is the one
who repays seven times more
than you give him.
14You cannot bribe the Lord
by offering a sacrifice,
15and he won't accept as a gift
what you get by cheating.
The Lord is a judge
who doesn't take sides,
16especially against the poor,
but he answers the prayers
of all who suffer injustice.
17God listens when an orphan
begs for his help.
He hears the complaints
of a mistreated widow
as she cries out
18with tears in her eyes
19and tells him about the one
who has abused her.
20If you obey the Lord,
he will accept you
and answer when you pray.
21Be humble, and your prayers
will go up beyond the clouds
and be heard
by God Most High.
22He will quickly punish those
who have wronged his people
and completely crush those
who have shown no mercy.
23God will take revenge
on evil, arrogant Gentiles,#35.23 Gentiles: Or “nations.”
breaking their power
and destroying them.
24And someday, all humans
will be repaid, as their thoughts
and deeds deserve.
25Then God will judge
in favor of his people,
and they will celebrate
because he showed mercy.
26We welcome God's mercy
when we are in trouble,
just as we welcome rain
in hot, dry weather.
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Sirach 35: CEVDCI
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.