Sirach 39:25–35

25 Good things for the goodv hath He allottedv from the beginning;

Even so to the evil wgood and evilw.

26 x(The chief of all the necessaries)x of life for man

Are water and fire, and iron and salt,

xxThe fat of wheatxx, milk and honey,

The blood of the grape, oil and clothing.

27 All these prove good to the good—

Even so for the evil they are turned yto evily.

28 zThere are (winds) which are formed (for punishment)z,

a(And in their fury)a bremove moun(tains)b.

G (S) cIn the season of destruction they pour out their force,

And appease the spirit of their creatorc.

HB 29 Fire and hail, d[famine]d and pestilence—

These also are formed for judgement.

30 eBeasts of preye, scorpions and vipers,

And the avenging sword to exterminate the wicked—

fAll these are created for their uses,

And are in the treasure-house (ready) to be requisitioned in due timef:

31 When He giveth them the command they rejoice,

And gin their prescribed tasksg disobey not His behest.

32 Therefore from the beginning hI was assuredh,

And when I had considered it I set it down in writing:

HB 33 iThe worksi of God are all good,

jThey supplyj every need in its season.

34 None may say: This is worse than that;

For everything kavailethk in its season.

35 And now ring out lwhole-heartedlyl

And praise the name of the Holy One!

(a) 40:1–17. The woes of humanity and the destruction of evil

(= 3 + 3 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 distichs).