Sirach 35

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

35 He who keeps the law makes many offerings;
    he who heeds the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
² He who returns a kindness offers fine flour,
    and he who gives alms sacrifices a thank offering.
³ To keep from wickedness is pleasing to the Lord,
    and to forsake unrighteousness is atonement.
⁴ Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed,
⁵     for all these things are to be done because of the commandment.
⁶ The offering of a righteous man anoints the altar,
    and its pleasing odor rises before the Most High.
⁷ The sacrifice of a righteous man is acceptable,
    and the memory of it will not be forgotten.
⁸ Glorify the Lord generously,
    and do not stint the first fruits of your hands.
⁹ With every gift show a cheerful face,
    and dedicate your tithe with gladness.
¹⁰ Give to the Most High as he has given,
    and as generously as your hand has found.
¹¹ For the Lord is the one who repays,
    and he will repay you sevenfold.

¹² Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it;
    and do not trust to an unrighteous sacrifice;
for the Lord is the judge,
    and with him is no partiality.
¹³ He will not show partiality in the case of a poor man;
    and he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged.
¹⁴ He will not ignore the supplication of the fatherless,
    nor the widow when she pours out her story.
¹⁵ Do not the tears of the widow run down her cheek
    as she cries out against him who has caused them to fall?
¹⁶ He whose service is pleasing to the Lord will be accepted,
    and his prayer will reach to the clouds.
¹⁷ The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds,
    and he will not be consoled until it reaches the Lord;^[a]
he will not desist until the Most High visits him,
    and does justice for the righteous, and executes judgment.
¹⁸ And the Lord will not delay,
    neither will he be patient with them,
till he crushes the loins of the unmerciful
    and repays vengeance on the nations;
till he takes away the multitude of the insolent,
    and breaks the scepters of the unrighteous;
¹⁹ till he repays man according to his deeds,
    and the works of men according to their devices;
till he judges the case of his people
    and makes them rejoice in his mercy.
²⁰ Mercy is as welcome when he afflicts them
    as clouds of rain in the time of drought.