1883 Haydock Douay Rheims Bible

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Sirach 35:1 He that keepeth the law, multiplieth offerings.

Offerings. He cannot otherwise observe the law. (Haydock) --- Virtue is the most acceptable sacrifice. (Calmet) --- The sacrifices of penance, of justice, and of praise, are to be preferred before all external ones. (Worthington)
Sirach 35:2 *It is a wholesome sacrifice to take heed to the commandments, and to depart from all iniquity.

1 Kings 15:22.
And to. Greek, (4.) "He," etc. (Haydock) --- The peace-offering and that for sin, as well as the oblation of fine flour and of praise, (which is the most perfect of all) are noticed. (Calmet) --- External sacrifice must not be neglected. (Worthington)
Sirach 35:3 And to depart from injustice, is to offer a propitiatory sacrifice for injustices, and a begging of pardon for sins.

Sirach 35:4 He shall return thanks that offereth fine flour: and he that doth mercy offereth sacrifice.

Sacrifice. Greek adds, "of praise." (Haydock) --- This was the true spirit of the law. (Calmet)
Sirach 35:5 *To depart from iniquity, is that which pleaseth the Lord, and to depart from injustice, is an entreaty for sins.

Jeremias 7:3.; Jeremias 26:13.
Sirach 35:6 *Thou shalt not appear empty in the sight of the Lord.

Exodus 23:15.; Exodus 34:20.; Deuteronomy 16:16.
Lord. The poor, who present a virtuous heart, are more acceptable than the rich, who are buried in sin, though the latter may offer the most splendid sacrifices. (Haydock) --- God requires that all should do according to their abilities. If they have nothing, they must fulfill the commandments, and he will be satisfied. Some have inferred from Exodus 23:16., that the poor were rejected. But the meaning of the law is here explained. (Calmet)
Sirach 35:7 For all these things are to be done, because of the commandment of God.

Sirach 35:8 The oblation of the just maketh the altar fat, and is an odour of sweetness in the sight of the Most High.

Sirach 35:9 The sacrifice of the just is acceptable, and the Lord will not forget the memorial thereof.

Sirach 35:10 Give glory to God with a good heart: and diminish not the first-fruits of thy hands.

Heart. Literally, "mind." Greek, "eye," (Haydock) free from avarice, 2 Corinthians 9:7.
Sirach 35:11 *In every gift shew a cheerful countenance, and sanctify thy tithes with joy.

2 Corinthians 9:7.; Tobias 4:9.
Sanctify: "set apart" for the use of the ministers, and of the temple. (Calmet) --- God will reward thee much more. (Worthington)
Sirach 35:12 Give to the Most High according to what he hath given to thee, and with a good eye do according to the ability of thy hands:

Sirach 35:13 For the Lord maketh recompense, and will give thee seven times as much.

Sirach 35:14 *Do not offer wicked gifts, for such he will not receive.

Leviticus 22:21.; Deuteronomy 15:21.
Wicked; defective, Leviticus 22:21., and Malachias 1:7. Greek, "curtailed, or ill-acquired," (Calmet) or "do not bribe" God; (dorokopei. Grotius) as the word is used [in] 2 Machabees. God will not regard our gifts, to let our offences escape punishment, Isaias 42:1. (Calmet)
Sirach 35:15 And look not upon an unjust sacrifice, for the Lord is judge, *and there is not with him respect of person.

Deuteronomy 10:17.; 2 Paralipomenon 19:7.; Job 34:19.; Wisdom 6:8.; Romans 2:11.; Galatians 2:6.; Colossians 3:25.; Acts 10:34.; 1 Peter 1:17.
Sirach 35:16 The Lord will not accept any person against a poor man, and he will hear the prayer of him that is wronged.

Sirach 35:17 He will not despise the prayers of the fatherless: nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint.

Sirach 35:18 Do not the widow's tears run down the cheek, and her cry against him that causeth them to fall?

Sirach 35:19 For from the cheek they go up even to heaven, and the Lord that heareth will not be delighted with them.

For, etc., is not in Greek. God will protect the defenceless. (Haydock)
Sirach 35:20 He that adoreth God with joy, shall be accepted, and his prayer shall approach even to the clouds.

Sirach 35:21 The prayer of him that humbleth himself shall pierce the clouds: and till it come nigh he will not be comforted: and he will not depart till the Most High behold.

He, or "it." (Calmet) --- Prayer is personified, and presents itself before God.
Sirach 35:22 And the Lord will not be slack, but will judge for the just, and will do judgment: and the Almighty will not have patience with them, that he may crush their back:

Them, the Gentiles, etc., ver. 23. Greek, "will not delay to punish them, till he crush the loins of the unmerciful. And," etc. (Haydock)
Sirach 35:23 And he will repay vengeance to the Gentiles, till he have taken away the multitude of the proud, and broken the sceptres of the unjust,

Unjust Egyptians, Syrians, and Greeks, who then oppressed the Jews.
Sirach 35:24 Till he have rendered to men according to their deeds: and according to the works of Adam, and according to his presumption.

Adam, who was not spared. (Calmet) --- Greek, "of men and their desires." (Haydock) --- Our version seems to be taken from the Hebrew. (Du Hamel) --- Adam sometimes denotes any man. (Menochius)
Sirach 35:25 Till he have judged the cause of his people, and he shall delight the just with his mercy.

Sirach 35:26 The mercy of God is beautiful in the time of affliction, as a cloud of rain in the time of drought.

The. Greek, "mercy is beautiful," etc., Psalm 9:10. (Haydock)