Ben Sira 16:5-14

5 Many such things my eye has seen, and my ear has heard things more striking than these.
6 In an assembly of sinners a fire is kindled, and in a disobedient nation wrath blazes up.
7 He did not forgive the ancient giants who revolted in their might.
8 He did not spare the neighbors of Lot, whom he loathed on account of their arrogance.
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.

Footnotes 4

  • [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.]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.