Глава 16

Don't desire many worthless children. Better is one righteous man than a thousand sinners. The sinner will not hide from the punishment of Divine Justice. Everyone will receive according to their deeds. The laws of the Lord are holy and inviolable. Sir.16:1 Do not covet a multitude of wicked children, and do not rejoice over the sons of the wicked. When they multiply, do not rejoice over them unless they have the fear of the Lord. Sir.16:2 Do not rely on their life and do not rely on their multitude. Sir.16:3 Better is one righteous man than a thousand sinners, Sir.16:4 And it is better to die childless than to have children of the wicked, Sir.16:5 For by one wise man shall a city be inhabited, but the tribe of the wicked shall be desolate. Art. 5 refers to verse 3. Sir.16:6 My eye has seen many things, and my ear has heard even more. Sir.16:7 Fire will kindle in the congregation of sinners, just as anger was kindled among a disobedient people. 7. In a gathering of sinners, the sinful fire of ungodly passions can always flare up, just as this fire of god-resistance flared up in former times in the rebellious Jewish people. Sir.16:8 He did not have mercy on the ancient giants, who, in hope of their strength, became apostates; Sir.16:9 He did not spare those who lived in the same place with Lot, whom he resented for their pride; 9 . Wed. Life XIX:11, 24–25. This refers to the death of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, along with their homes and property. Sir.16:10 He did not have mercy on the perishing people, who were proud of their sins, Sir.16:11 as well as six hundred thousand people united in their hardness of heart. And even if one was disobedient, it would be surprising if he remained unpunished; 11. At the time of the exodus from Egypt, the Jewish men capable of war numbered “up to six hundred thousand.” Sir.16:12 For both mercy and wrath are in His power: He is able to show mercy and pour out wrath. Sir.16:13 As His mercy is great, so great is His reproof. He judges a man according to his deeds. Sir.16:14 The sinner will not run away from Him with theft, and the patience of the pious will not remain in vain. Sir.16:15 He will give place to every kind of almsgiving; each one will receive according to his deeds. Sir.16:16 Do not say: “I will hide from the Lord; Will anyone from above remember me? Sir.16:17 Among the multitude of people they will not notice me; for what is my soul in the immeasurable creature? Sir.16:18 Behold, the heavens and the heavens of heavens are God’s, the abyss and the earth tremble at His visitation. Sir.16:19 The mountains and the foundations of the earth also shake with fear when He looks. 19. Wed. Ref. XIX:16–19. The meaning of the previous and subsequent verses (16–23) is that only a meager mind can hope to hide from the gaze of divine truth, when divine knowledge, glory and power fill the whole world. Sir.16:20 And the heart cannot understand this; Sir.16:21 But who can comprehend His ways? Like the wind, which man cannot see, so most of His works are hidden. Sir.16:22 Who will declare the works of His justice? or who will wait for them? for this definition is far away.” Sir.16:23 A man of poor mind thinks thus, and a foolish and deluded man thinks so foolishly. Sir.16:24 Listen to me, my son, and learn knowledge, and listen to my words with your heart. Sir.16:25 I show you a well-thought-out teaching and impart accurate knowledge. Sir.16:26 According to the Lord's decree, His works were from the beginning, and from their creation He divided their parts. Sir.16:27 He established His works forever, and their beginnings throughout their generations. They do not hunger, do not become weary, and do not cease in their activities. Sir.16:28 Nothing troubles those close to him, Sir.16:29 And for ever they will not resist His word. Sir.16:30 And then the Lord looked upon the earth and filled it with His blessings. Sir.16:31 The soul of every living thing has covered her face, and everything will return to her. 26–31. The world, created by the Lord God according to the eternal ideas of His most perfect mind, testifies to the wisdom, goodness, and power of its Creator. The laws of physical and spiritual existence established by Him are holy and immutable. And if the fulfillment of these laws leads to prosperity, then evasion of them is accompanied by suffering.