Chapter 35

¹He that keepeth the law, multiplieth offerings. ²It is a wholesome sacrifice to take heed to the commandments, and to depart from all iniquity. _J ³And to depart from injustice, is to offer a propitiatory sacrifice for injustices, and a begging of pardon for sins. ⁴He shall return thanks, that offereth fine flour: and he that doth mercy, offereth sacrifice. ⁵To depart from iniquity is that which pleaseth the Lord, and to depart from injustice, is an entreaty for sins. ⁶Thou shalt not appear empty in the sight of the Lord. ⁷For all these things are to be done because of the commandment of God. ⁸The oblation of the just maketh the altar fat, and is an odour of sweetness in the sight of the most High. ⁹The sacrifice of the just is acceptable, and the Lord will not forget the memorial thereof. ¹⁰Give glory to God with a good heart: and diminish not the firstfruits of thy hands. ¹¹In every gift shew a cheerful countenance, and sanctify thy tithes with joy. ¹²Give 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: ¹³For the Lord maketh recompense, and will give thee seven times as much. ¹⁴Do not offer wicked gifts, for such he will not receive. ¹⁵And look not upon an unjust sacrifice, for the Lord is judge, and there is not with him respect of person. ¹⁶The Lord will not accept any person against a poor man, and he will hear the prayer of him that is wronged. ¹⁷He will not despise the prayers of the fatherless; nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint. ¹⁸Do not the widow's tears run down the cheek, and her cry against him that causeth them to fall? ¹⁹For from the cheek they go up even to heaven, and the Lord that heareth will not be delighted with them. ²⁰He that adoreth God with joy, shall be accepted, and his prayer shall approach even to the clouds. ²¹The 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. ²²And 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: ²³And he will repay vengeance to the Gentiles, till he have taken away the multitude of the proud, and broken the sceptres of the unjust, ²⁴Till he have rendered to men according to their deeds: and according to the works of Adam, and according to his presumption, ²⁵Till he have judged the cause of his people, and he shall delight the just with his mercy. ²⁶The mercy of God is beautiful in the time of affliction, as a cloud of rain in the time of drought.