Ben Sira 16:9-19

9 He showed no pity on the doomed nation, on those dispossessed because of their sins;

10 or on the six hundred thousand foot soldiers who assembled in their stubbornness.

11 Even if there were only one stiff-necked person, it would be a wonder if he remained unpunished. For mercy and wrath are with the Lord; he is mighty to forgive—but he also pours out wrath.

12 Great as is his mercy, so also is his chastisement; he judges a person according to his or her deeds.

13 The sinner will not escape with plunder, and the patience of the godly will not be frustrated.

14 He makes room for every act of mercy; everyone receives in accordance with his or her deeds.

17 Do not say, "I am hidden from the Lord, and who from on high has me in mind? Among so many people I am unknown, for what am I in a boundless creation?

18 Lo, heaven and the highest heaven, the abyss and the earth, tremble at his visitation!

19 The very mountains and the foundations of the earth quiver and quake when he looks upon them.

Footnotes

• [a]. Other ancient authorities add [All these things he did to the hard-hearted nations, and by the multitude of his holy ones he was not appeased.]
• [b]. Other ancient authorities add [Chastising, showing mercy, striking, healing, the Lord persisted in mercy and discipline.]
• [c]. Gk [him]
• [d]. Other ancient authorities add [+V15+WThe Lord hardened Pharaoh so that he did not recognize him, in order that his works might be known under heaven. +V16+WHis mercy is manifest to the whole of creation, and he divided his light and darkness with a plumb line.]
• [e]. Other ancient authorities add [The whole world past and present is in his will.]