Sirach 35

35He that keepeth the law multiplieth offerings;

He sacrificeth a peace-offering that heedeth the commandments.

He that practiseth kindness offereth fine flour,

And he that doeth mercy sacrificeth a thank-offering.

A thing well-pleasing to the Lord it is to avoid wickedness,

And a propitiation to avoid what is wrong.

Appear not with empty hands in the presence of the Lord,

For all this ⁽shall be done⁽ because it is commanded.

The offering of the righteous maketh the altar fat,

And its sweet savour ⁽cometh⁽ before the Most High.

The meal-offering of a righteous man is acceptable,

And its memorial shall not be forgotten.

With a good eye glorify the Lord,

And stint not the heave-offering of thy hands.

In all thy deeds let thy countenance shine,

And with gladness dedicate thy tithe.

Give to God as He hath given to thee,

With goodness of eye, and as thine hand hath attained.

For He is a God of requital,

And sevenfold will He recompense thee.

Bribe not, for He will not receive;

And put not thy trust upon a sacrifice of extortion,

For He is a God of justice,

And with Him is no partiality.

He will not show partiality against the poor man,

And the supplications of the distressed He heareth.

He doth not ignore the cry of the fatherless,

Nor the widow, when she poureth out ⁽her⁽ plaint.

Do not the tears run down the cheek,

And sigh against ^[him who causeth them to fall^[?

A bitterness accepted is ⁽such^{( [}sighing^[,

And ⁽such⁽ a cry^[bendeth^[ the clouds.

The appeal of the lowly traverseth the skies,

And resteth not till it reach ⁽its goal⁽.

It shall not remove till God doth visit,

And ⁽till⁽ the righteous Judge executeth judgement

Yea, the Lord will not tarry,

And the mighty One will not refrain Himself,

Till He smite the loins of the merciless,

And requite vengeance ^[to the arrogant^[;

Till He dispossessthe sceptre of pride,

And the staff of wickedness utterly cut down;

Till He render to man his due,

And recompense people according to their devising;

Till He plead the cause of His people,

And rejoice them with His salvation.

^[Beauteous is His favour in a time^[ of stress.

As a rain-cloud in the season of drought.