Глава 35

To please the Lord is to turn away from evil; to propitiate Him is to turn away from unrighteousness. Sir.35:1 He who keeps the law multiplies the offerings; He who keeps the commandments brings the sacrifice of salvation. Sir.35:2 He who gives thanks brings seven dals; and the giver of alms offers a sacrifice of praise. Sir.35:3 To please the Lord is to turn away from evil, and to propitiate Him is to turn away from unrighteousness. 1–3. Wed. Ps. 50:19; Is. 1. See example to Sir.7:9. He who observes the external precepts of the law regarding sacrifices multiplies the number of offerings by his sacrifice; whoever, together with this, implements in his life the spirit of the commandments of the Lord, makes a sacrifice for his salvation. Whoever makes a sacrifice of thanksgiving as required only by the law, brings a semidal, i.e. increases the number of seven-day pure grain offerings brought during the sacrifice: whoever does works of mercy together with this brings to God a sacrifice of true praise (Matthew 5:16). Sir.35:4 Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed, for all this is according to the commandment. Sir.35:5 The offering of the righteous makes the altar fat, and its fragrance is before the Most High; Sir.35:6 The sacrifice of a righteous man is favorable, and the memory of it will be unforgettable. Sir.35:7 With a cheerful eye glorify the Lord and do not diminish the firstfruits of your labors; Sir.35:8 With every gift, have a cheerful face and dedicate the tithe with joy. Sir.35:9 Give to the Most High according to His giving, and with a cheerful eye - as you receive with your hand, Sir.35:10 For the Lord is the rewarder and will reward you sevenfold. 4–10. The need for internal reverence for God does not mean that external reverence for God can be neglected. The requirements of the law regarding worship and sacrifice must be fulfilled without omission and in the joyful mood of a willing heart. Sir.35:11 Do not diminish the gifts, for He will not accept them: and do not trust in an unrighteous sacrifice, Sir.35:12 For the Lord is the judge, and with Him there is no respect of persons: Sir.35:13 He will not respect the face of the poor and will hear the prayer of the offended; Sir.35:14 He will not despise the prayer of an orphan or a widow when she pours out her petition. Sir.35:15 Do not the tears of a widow flow down her cheeks, and does she not cry out against the one who forces them? Sir.35:16 He who serves God will be received with favor, and his prayer will reach the clouds. Sir.35:17 The prayer of the humble will penetrate the clouds, and he will not be comforted until it approaches God, Sir.35:18 and will not retreat until the Most High looks and judges fairly and pronounces a decision. Sir.35:19 And the Lord will not delay or suffer until He breaks the loins of the merciless; Sir.35:20 He will exact vengeance on the nations, until he destroys the host of oppressors and breaks the scepters of the unrighteous, Sir.35:21 Until he rewards a man according to his deeds, and for the deeds of men according to their intentions, Sir.35:22 Until He executes judgment on His people and makes them glad with His mercy. Sir.35:23 Mercy is timely in time of trouble, like rain clouds in time of drought. 11–23. The Lord is impartial and merciful: he will reject the sacrifice of the wicked oppressor of his neighbors, but he will hear the tears of the destitute and oppressed righteous people and will not hesitate to carry out his righteous judgment.