Sirach 25

1 Say not: He hath caused me to err: for he hath no need of wicked men. 2 The Lord hateth all abomination of error, and they that fear him shall not love it. 3 God made man from the beginning, and left him in the hand of his own counsel. 4 He added his commandments and precepts. 5 If thou wilt keep the commandments and perform acceptable fidelity for ever, they shall preserve thee. 6 He hath set water and fire before thee: stretch forth thy hand to which thou wilt. 7 Before man is life and death, good and evil, that which he shall choose shall be given him: 8 For the wisdom of God is great, and he is strong in power, seeing all men without ceasing. 9 The eyes of the Lord are towards them that fear him, and he knoweth al the work of man. 10 He hath commanded no man to do wickedly, and he hath given no man license to sin; 11 For he desireth not a multitude of faithless and unprofitable children. 13 Rejoice not in ungodly children, if they be multiplied: neither be delighted in them, if the fear of God be not with them. 14 Trust not to their life, and respect not their labours. 15 For better is one that feareth God, than a thousand ungodly children. 16 And it is better to die without children, than to leave ungodly children. 17 By one that is wise a country shall be inhabited, the tribe of the ungodly shall become desolate. 18 Many such things hath my eyes seen, and greater things than these my ear hath heard. 19 In the congregation of sinners a fire shall be kindled, and in an unbelieving nation wrath shall flame out. 20 The ancient giants did not obtain pardon for their sins, who were destroyed trusting to their own strength: 21 And he spared not the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for the pride of their word. 22 He had not pity on them, destroying the whole nation that extolled themselves in their sins. 23 So did he with the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their heart: and if one had been stiffnecked, it is a wonder if he had escaped unpunished: 24 For mercy and wrath are with him. He is mighty to forgive, and to pour out indignation: 25 According as his mercy is, so his correction judgeth a man according to his works. 26 The sinner shall not escape in his rapines, and the patience of him that sheweth mercy shall not be put off.