Глава 18

The fullness of the greatness of the Lord is incomprehensible to any created being. Despite his comparative dignity among earthly creatures, man is insignificant before the divine greatness and always needs the Lord’s mercy towards him. The mercy of man is towards his neighbor, and the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh. Do good to your neighbor in deed and word. When doing charity, do not reproach. A wise person will be careful in everything. Sir.18:1 He who lives forever created everything; The Lord alone is righteous. Sir.18:2 He left no one to explain His works. 2. No one can comprehend the fullness of divine greatness. Sir.18:3 And who can search out His great works? Sir.18:4 Who can measure the power of His greatness? and who can also speak of His mercies? Sir.18:5 It is impossible to diminish or increase, and it is impossible to examine the wondrous works of the Lord. Sir.18:6 When a person has finished, then he is just beginning, and when he stops, he will be amazed. 6. No matter how much a person studies the greatness of the works of the Lord, he will still be just beginning this study without hope of the final completion of this study. Having stopped his occupation, the examiner will come to involuntary amazement at the little that he has learned, and at the vastness that still remains covered with the sacred veil of incomprehensibility. Sir.18:7 What is man and what is his benefit? What is his good and what is his evil? Art. 7 refers to verse 6, noting a certain number of questions that are insoluble for man in their entirety. Sir.18:8 The number of a man's days is many, if a hundred years: like a drop of water from the sea or a grain of sand, so short are his years in the day of eternity. Sir.18:9 Therefore the Lord is patient with people and pours out His mercy on them. 9 . Explained in verses 10–11. Sir.18:10 He sees and knows that their end is very calamitous, Sir.18:11 and therefore He multiplies His mercies. Sir.18:12 The mercy of a man is toward his neighbor, and the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh. Sir.18:13 He reproaches and admonishes, and teaches and converts, like a shepherd his flock. Sir.18:14 He has mercy on those who receive admonition and diligently turn to His law. Sir.18:15 My son! When doing good, do not reproach, and when giving any gift, do not insult with words. Sir.18:16 Doesn't dew cool the heat? So speaking is better than giving. 16. A wise word spoken at the right time can have the same calming effect as the calming effect of dew on the heat of a summer day. Sir.18:17 Therefore, is not a word higher than a good gift? but a benevolent person has both. Sir.18:18 A fool reproaches mercilessly, and the alms of the ill-disposed dry up the eyes. 18. A benefit accompanied by reproaches dries up tears of gratitude. Sir.18:19 Before you begin to speak, think about it, and before you fall ill, take care of yourself. Sir.18:20 Examine yourself before judgment, and during the visit you will find mercy. Sir.18:21 Before you feel weak, humble yourself, and show conversion during sins. Sir.18:22 Let nothing prevent you from fulfilling your vow in time, and do not delay justification until death. Sir.18:23 Before you begin to pray, prepare yourself, and do not be like a man who tempts the Lord. Sir.18:24 Remember the wrath on the day of death and the time of vengeance, when the Lord will turn away His face. Sir.18:25 In times of satiety, remember the times of famine, and in the days of wealth, remember poverty and need. Sir.18:26 Time changes from morning to evening, and everything is fleeting before the Lord. Sir.18:27 A wise man will be careful in everything and in the days of sins will refrain from carelessness. Sir.18:28 Everyone who has understanding will know wisdom and will give praise to the one who finds it. Sir.18:29 Those who are prudent in words make themselves wise, and exude profound parables. Sir.18:30 Do not follow your lusts and refrain from your desires. Sir.18:31 If you provide your soul with something pleasing to its lusts, it will make you a delight to your enemies. Sir.18:32 Do not seek pleasure in great luxury and do not become attached to feasts. Sir.18:33 Do not become a beggar by feasting on borrowed money when you have nothing in your wallet. 19–33. A number of rules are noted that show that a wise person must be careful in everything.