Sirach 35
Offering sacrifices and following God's commandments is pleasing to the Lord, and those who act with mercy and give thanks are offering a form of sacrifice. The Lord accepts the sacrifices of the just and will not forget them, and those who give with a cheerful heart will be repaid seven times as much. The Lord is a just judge who does not show favoritism, and he will heed the prayers of the oppressed, including the widow and the orphan. The Lord will judge the wicked and repay vengeance to the Gentiles, but will show mercy to his people.
1
Whoever observes the law multiplies oblations
2It is a salutary sacrifice to attend to the commandments and to withdraw from all iniquity
3And to depart from injustice is to offer a propitiatory sacrifice for injustices and a supplication for sins
4Whoever gives thanks, offers a gift of fine flour, and whoever acts with mercy, offers a sacrifice
5To withdraw from iniquity is well-pleasing to the Lord. And to withdraw from injustice is a supplication for sins
6You should not appear empty before the sight of the Lord
7For all these things are to be done because of the commandment of God
8The oblation of the just fattens the altar, and is a fragrance of sweetness in the sight of the Most High
9The sacrifice of the just is acceptable, and the Lord will never forget the memorial of it
10Render glory to God with a good heart. And you should not reduce the first-fruits of your hands
11With every gift, have a cheerful countenance, and sanctify your tithes with exultation
12Give to the Most High according to his gifts to you, and act with a good eye toward the creations of your hands
13For the Lord gives recompense, and he will repay you seven times as much
14Do not be willing to offer corrupt gifts. For he will not accept them
15And do not be willing to consider an unjust sacrifice. For the Lord is the judge, and with him there is no favoritism toward anyone
16The Lord will not accept favoritism against the poor, but he will heed the prayer of one who has been harmed
17He will not despise the prayers of the orphan, nor of the widow, if she utters a lamenting complaint
18Do a widow’s tears not run down her cheek? And will her outcry not cause their downfall
19For from her cheek, her tears ascend even to heaven. And the Lord, the One who listens, will not take delight in them
20Whoever adores God with joy will be accepted, and his prayer will reach even to the clouds
21The prayer of one who humbles himself will pierce the clouds. And it will not be consoled until it draws near; and it will not withdraw until the Most High beholds
22And the Lord will not delay, and he will judge for those who are just, and he will accomplish judgment. And the Almighty will not have patience with them, so that he may crush their back
23And he will repay vengeance to the Gentiles, until he has taken away the multitude of the arrogant, and broken the scepters of the iniquitous
24until he has rendered to men according to their deeds, and according to the works of Adam, and according to his presumption
25until he has judged the judgment of his people. And he will delight the just with his mercy
26The mercy of God is beautiful in the time of tribulation, like a rain cloud in the time of drought
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