Sirach 34:21-31

Common English Bible

On sacrifice and worship

²¹When someone sacrifices something unjustly gotten,
    the offering is flawed;
²²    the gifts of those who don’t follow
    the Law are not acceptable.
²³The Most High is not pleased
with the offerings of the ungodly,
    nor will he forgive sins
    for a multitude of sacrifices.
²⁴Someone who brings a sacrifice that comes from the property of the needy
    is like someone who slaughters a son
    in the presence of his father.
²⁵The needy person’s bread
means life for that poor person;
    whoever withholds it is a murderer.
²⁶Whoever takes away a neighbor’s living
commits murder,
²⁷    and whoever deprives a worker
    of wages sheds blood.

²⁸One person builds,
and another tears down;
    what have they gained
    other than hard work?
²⁹One person prays,
and another person curses;
    to whose voice will the master listen?
³⁰When people bathe after touching
a corpse and touch it again,
    what have they gained by washing?
³¹So when people fast because of their sins,
    and then go and do the same
    things again,
    who will listen to their prayer,
    and what did they gain
    by humbling themselves?