Ben Sira 35
35
1To keep the law is to make many offerings;#1 Sm 15:22; Ps 51:18–19; Is 1:11–18; Hos 6:6; Am 5:21–24.
2whoever observes the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
3By works of charity one offers fine flour,#Fine flour, together with oil and frankincense, was a prescribed offering to God; cf. Lv 2:1–3.
4and one who gives alms presents a sacrifice of praise.
5To refrain from evil pleases the Lord,
and to avoid injustice is atonement.
6Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed,
7for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts.#Ex 23:15; 34:20; Dt 16:16.
8The offering of the just enriches the altar:
a sweet odor before the Most High.
9The sacrifice of the just is accepted,
never to be forgotten.
10With a generous spirit pay homage to the Lord,
and do not spare your freewill gifts.#Sir 7:31.
11With each contribution show a cheerful countenance,
and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy.#Dt 14:22; 2 Cor 9:7.
12Give to the Most High as he has given to you,
generously, according to your means.
13For he is a God who always repays
and will give back to you sevenfold.#Prv 19:17; Mt 25:34–40.
14But offer no bribes; these he does not accept!
15Do not trust in sacrifice of the fruits of extortion,#Sir 34:21–23; Prv 15:8; 21:27.
For he is a God of justice,
who shows no partiality.#Dt 10:17; 2 Chr 19:7; Jb 34:19; Wis 6:7; Acts 10:34; Rom 2:11; Gal 2:6; 1 Pt 1:17.
16He shows no partiality to the weak
but hears the grievance of the oppressed.#Cf. Lv 19:15; Dt 1:17. The divine impartiality is paradoxical, for it is tilted toward the poor.
17He does not forsake the cry of the orphan,#Ex 22:22.
nor the widow when she pours out her complaint.
18Do not the tears that stream down her cheek
19cry out against the one that causes them to fall?
20Those who serve God to please him are accepted;
their petition reaches the clouds.
21The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds;
it does not rest till it reaches its goal;
Nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds,
22judges justly and affirms the right.#Lk 18:7.
God indeed will not delay,
and like a warrior, will not be still#Is 42:13–16; 2 Pt 3:9.
Till he breaks the backs of the merciless
23and wreaks vengeance upon the nations;
Till he destroys the scepter of the proud,
and cuts off the staff of the wicked;
24Till he requites everyone according to their deeds,
and repays them according to their thoughts;
25Till he defends the cause of his people,
and makes them glad by his salvation.
26Welcome is his mercy in time of distress
as rain clouds in time of drought.
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Ben Sira 35: NABRE
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Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc