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15     and do not rely on a dishonest sacrifice;
for the Lord is the judge,
    and with him there is no partiality.
16 He will not show partiality to the poor;
    but he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged.
17 He will not ignore the supplication of the orphan,
    or the widow when she pours out her complaint.

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20 The one whose service is pleasing to the Lord will be accepted,
    and his prayer will reach to the clouds.
21 The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds,
    and it will not rest until it reaches its goal;
it will not desist until the Most High responds
22     and does justice for the righteous, and executes judgment.
Indeed, the Lord will not delay,
    and like a warrior[a] will not be patient
until he crushes the loins of the unmerciful

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Footnotes

  1. Sirach 35:22 Heb: Gk and with them

As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

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The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

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