Sirach 39:22–30

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;