Sirach 23:16-27

Common English Bible

¹⁶ Two types of people multiply sins,
        and a third will bring wrath.
    A hot temperament that burns like fire
        will never be quenched until it is spent.
    People who are promiscuous
    with their kin
        will never stop until the fire burns out.
¹⁷ To promiscuous people all bread is sweet;
    they don’t become weary until they die.
¹⁸ There are people
who violate their marriage bed,
        saying to themselves, Who will see me?
    Darkness envelops me;
    the walls hide me;
        no one will see me.
        Why do I have a care?
        The Most High
        will never recall my sins.
¹⁹ They fear human eyes,
    but they are unaware
    that the eyes of the Lord
        are ten thousand times brighter
        than the sun;
    they observe all the ways
    of human beings
        and look into hidden places.
²⁰ Before all things were created,
God knew them;
    so as well after they were finished.
²¹ These people will be punished
in the streets of the city,
    and when they least expect it,
    they will be seized.