Sirach 39:16–35

¹⁶“All things are the works of the Lord, for they are very good,

and whatever he commands will be done in his time.”

¹⁷No one can say, “What is this?” “Why is that?”

for in God’s time all things will be sought after.

At his word the waters stood in a heap,

and the reservoirs of water at the word of his mouth.

¹⁸At his command whatever pleases him is done,

and none can limit his saving power.

¹⁹The works of all flesh are before him,

and nothing can be hid from his eyes.

²⁰From everlasting to everlasting he beholds them,

and nothing is marvelous to him.

²¹No one can say, “What is this?” “Why is that?”

for everything has been created for its use.

²²His blessing covers the dry land like a river,

and drenches it like a flood.

²³The nations will incur his wrath,

just as he turns fresh water into salt.

²⁴To the holy his ways are straight,

just as they are obstacles to the wicked.

²⁵From the beginning good things were created for good people,

just as evil things for sinners.

²⁶Basic to all the needs of man’s life

are water and fire and iron and salt

and wheat flour and milk and honey,

the blood of the grape, and oil and clothing.

²⁷All these are for good to the godly,

just as they turn into evils for sinners.

²⁸There are winds that have been created for vengeance,

and in their anger they scourge heavily;

in the time of consummation they will pour out their strength

and calm the anger of their Maker.

²⁹Fire and hail and famine and pestilence,

all these have been created for vengeance;

³⁰the teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions and vipers,

and the sword that punishes the ungodly with destruction;

³¹they will rejoice in his commands,

and be made ready on earth for their service,

and when their times come they will not transgress his word.

³²Therefore from the beginning I have been convinced,

and have thought this out and left it in writing:

³³The works of the Lord are all good,

and he will supply every need in its hour.

³⁴And no one can say, “This is worse than that,”

for all things will prove good in their season.

³⁵So now sing praise with all your heart and voice,

and bless the name of the Lord.