Sirach 43:9-33

Common English Bible

⁹ The stars’ glory is the sky’s beauty,
    shining ornaments
    in the heights of the Lord.
¹⁰ They stand at the words of the holy one,
just as he orders,
    and they will never grow tired
    as they keep watch.
¹¹ Look at the rainbow,
exceedingly beautiful in its brightness,
        and bless the one who made it.
¹²     It encircled the sky with a glorious ring;
    the Lord’s hands stretched it out.

¹³ He drives the snow forward
by his command,
    and he speeds the lightning bolts
    of his judgment on their way.
¹⁴ To this end, the storehouses are opened,
    and clouds fly out like birds.
¹⁵ In his might he subdues clouds,
    and stones are broken apart for hail.
^17 [a] The sound of his thunder
scolds the earth,
¹⁶     and mountains will be shaken
    when he appears.
The south wind blows by his will,
^{17     [b]} as do storms from the north
    and whirlwinds.
He sprinkles the snow
like birds flying down,
    and its descent is like locusts alighting.
¹⁸ The eye marvels at its beautiful whiteness,
    and the heart is amazed
    at its showering down.
¹⁹ He pours frost, like salt, upon the earth,
    and when it freezes it has pointy thorns.
²⁰ A cold north wind will blow,
    and ice will freeze on the water;
    it will settle on every pool of water,
        and the water will put it on like armor.
²¹ He will consume mountains,
burn up the wilderness,
    and extinguish grass like a fire.
²² A mist hastens the healing of all things;
    the dew that appears
    will give relief from the heat.

²³ By his calculations, he stilled the deep,
    and he planted islands in it.
²⁴ Those who sail the sea
describe its danger,
    and we are amazed at what we hear.
²⁵ Incredible and amazing works are there,
    all sorts of living things,
    great sea monsters.
²⁶ Because of him, each messenger succeeds,
    and all things hold together by his word.

²⁷ We could say many things
and never say enough.
    The final word is: The Lord is “the All.”
²⁸ Where will we find the strength
to glorify him?
    For God is great beyond all his works.
²⁹ The Lord is awesome and very great,
    and his power is marvelous.
³⁰ Glorify the Lord,
and exalt him as much as you can:
    he surpasses even that.
        Exalt him, increase your strength,
        and don’t grow tired:
        you will never say enough.
³¹ Who has seen him and will describe him?
    Whose praises of him
    will match what he really is?
³² There are many hidden things
greater than these,
    for we have seen only
    a few of his works.
³³ The Lord made everything,
    and he gave wisdom to the godly.