Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 35

¹ A man multiplies offerings by keeping the Law; he offers communion sacrifices by following the commandments.

² By showing gratitude he makes an offering of fine flour, by giving alms he offers a sacrifice of praise.

³ Withdraw from wickedness and the Lord will be pleased, withdraw from injustice and you make atonement.

⁴ Do not appear empty-handed in the Lord’s presence; for all these things are due under the commandment.

⁵ A virtuous man’s offering graces the altar, and its savour rises before the Most High.

⁶ A virtuous man’s sacrifice is acceptable, its memorial will not be forgotten.

⁷ Honour the Lord with generosity, do not stint the first-fruits you bring.

⁸ Add a smiling face to all your gifts, and be cheerful as you dedicate your tithes.

⁹ Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously as your means can afford;

¹⁰ for the Lord is a good rewarder, he will reward you seven times over.

¹¹ Offer him no bribe, he will not accept it, do not put your faith in an unvirtuous sacrifice;

¹² since the Lord is a judge who is no respecter of personages.

¹³ He shows no respect of personages to the detriment of a poor man, he listens to the plea of the injured party.

¹⁴ He does not ignore the orphan’s supplication, nor the widow’s as she pours out her story.

¹⁵ Do the widow’s tears not run down her cheeks, as she cries out against the man who caused them?

¹⁶ The man who with his whole heart serves God will be accepted, his petitions will carry to the clouds.

¹⁷ The humble man’s prayer pierces the clouds, until it arrives he is inconsolable,

¹⁸ nor will he desist until the Most High takes notice of him, acquits the virtuous and delivers judgement.

¹⁹ And the Lord will not be slow, nor will he be dilatory on their behalf,

²⁰ until he has crushed the loins of the merciless and exacted vengeance on the nations,

²¹ until he has eliminated the hordes of the arrogant and broken the sceptres of the wicked,

²² until he has repaid each as his deeds deserve and human actions as their intentions merit,

²³ until he has judged the case of his people and made them rejoice in his mercy.

²⁴ Mercy is welcome in time of trouble, like rain clouds in time of drought.