Sirach 42:15-25

God’s created order

15 Now I'll call to mind the works of the Lord, and I'll tell about what I've seen. The Lord's works came into being by his words.
16 The shining sun looked down on everything, and the Lord's work is radiant with his glory.
17 The Lord has not allowed his holy ones to describe all of his wonders, which the Lord Almighty established so that the universe would stand firm in his glory.
18 He has searched the abyss and the heart, and he took their great achievements into consideration, because the Most High knew everything to be known. He saw the sign of the age,
19 explaining what has passed and what will be, and revealing the clues to things that are hidden.
20 No thought escaped him, and not a single word was hidden from him.
21 He ordered the splendors of his wisdom. He remains the same from the beginning of time all the way to eternity. Nothing can be added to him nor be taken away, and he needed no one to give him advice.
22 How desirable are all of his works, and how brilliant they are to look upon.
23 All these things live and remain forever in every circumstance, and everything obeys him.
24 All things exist in pairs, one opposite the other, and he made nothing that was incomplete.
25 Each thing strengthens the good parts of the other; who can get enough of seeing God's glory?

Footnotes 4

  • [a]. Heb adds and they agree to do his will; LXXb and judgment comes about by his good will.
  • [b]. Heb and he saw what was to come forever
  • [c]. Gk He is one
  • [d]. Heb and all things are maintained for every need.
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