Sirach

1The Splendor of the Sun The pride of the heavenly heights is the clear firmament, the appearance of heaven in a spectacle of glory.💡

2The sun, when it appears, making proclamation as it goes forth, is a marvelous instrument, the work of the Most High.💡

3At noon it parches the land; and who can withstand its burning heat?💡

4A man tending a furnace works in burning heat, but the sun burns the mountains three times as much; it breathes out fiery vapors, and with bright beams it blinds the eyes.💡

5Great is the Lord who made it; and at his command it hastens on its course.💡

6The Splendor of the Moon He made the moon also, to serve in its season to mark the times and to be an everlasting sign.💡

7From the moon comes the sign for feast days, a light that wanes when it has reached the full.💡

8The month is named for the moon, increasing marvelously in its phases, an instrument of the hosts on high shining forth in the firmament of heaven.💡

9The Glory of the Stars and the Rainbow The glory of the stars is the beauty of heaven, a gleaming array in the heights of the Lord.💡

10At the command of the Holy One they stand as ordered, they never relax in their watches.💡

11Look upon the rainbow, and praise him who made it, exceedingly beautiful in its brightness.💡

12It encircles the heaven with its glorious arc; the hands of the Most High have stretched it out.💡

13The Marvels of Nature By his command he sends the driving snow and speeds the lightnings of his judgment.💡

14Therefore the storehouses are opened, and the clouds fly forth like birds.💡

15In his majesty he amasses the clouds, and the hailstones are broken in pieces. At his appearing the mountains are shaken; at his will the south wind blows.💡

17The voice of his thunder rebukes the earth; so do the tempest from the north and the whirlwind. He scatters the snow like birds flying down, and its descent is like locusts alighting.💡

18The eye marvels at the beauty of its whiteness, and the mind is amazed at its falling.💡

19He pours the hoarfrost upon the earth like salt, and when it freezes, it becomes pointed thorns.💡

20The cold north wind blows, and ice freezes over the water; it rests upon every pool of water, and the water puts it on like a breastplate.💡

21He consumes the mountains and burns up the wilderness, and withers the tender grass like fire.💡

22A mist quickly heals all things; when the dew appears, it refreshes from the heat.💡

23By his counsel he stilled the great deep and planted islands in it.💡

24Those who sail the sea tell of its dangers, and we marvel at what we hear.💡

25for in it are strange and marvelous works, all kinds of living things, and huge creatures of the sea.💡

26Because of him his messenger finds the way, and by his word all things hold together.💡

27Though we speak much we cannot reach the end, and the sum of our words is: “He is the all.”💡

28Where shall we find strength to praise him? For he is greater than all his works.💡

29Terrible is the Lord and very great, and marvelous is his power.💡

30When you praise the Lord, exalt him as much as you can; for he will surpass even that. When you exalt him, put forth all your strength, and do not grow weary, for you cannot praise him enough.💡

31Who has seen him and can describe him? Or who can extol him as he is?💡

32Many things greater than these lie hidden, for we have seen but few of his works.💡

33For the Lord has made all things, and to the godly he has granted wisdom.💡