Sirach 43

1The pride of the height, the clear firmament, the beauty of heaven, with his glorious shew; 2the sun when it appeareth, declaring at his rising a marvellous instrument, the work of the most High: 3at noon it parcheth the country, and who can abide the burning heat thereof? 4A man blowing a furnace is in works of heat, but the sun burneth the mountains three times more; breathing out fiery vapours, and sending forth bright beams, it dimmeth the eyes. 5Great is the Lord that made it; and at his commandment it runneth hastily. 6He made the moon also to serve in her season for a declaration of times, and a sign of the world. 7From the moon is the sign of feasts, a light that decreaseth in her perfection. 8The month is called after her name, increasing wonderfully in her changing, being an instrument of the armies above, shining in the firmament of heaven; 9the beauty of heaven, the glory of the stars, an ornament giving light in the highest places of the Lord. 10At the commandment of the Holy One they will stand in their order, and never faint in their watches. 11Look upon the rainbow, and praise him that made it; very beautiful it is in the brightness thereof. 12It compasseth the heaven about with a glorious circle, and the hands of the most High have bended it. 13By his commandment he maketh the snow to fall apace, and sendeth swiftly the lightnings of his judgment. 14Through this the treasures are opened: and clouds fly forth as fowls. 15By his great power he maketh the clouds firm, and the hailstones are broken small. 16The voice of his thunder makes the earth writhe in labor, 17and at his sight, the mountains quake. By his will, the south wind is kindled, 18and the northern storm and the whirlwind. Like birds descending, he scatters snow, and its fall is like a swarm of locusts. 19The beauty of its whiteness amazes the eye, and the heart marvels at its rain. 20He pours frost upon the earth like salt, and it forms sharp peaks of thorns. 21The north wind blows as a cold wind, and the water freezes into solid ice; upon every gathered body of water, it holds fast, and the water is clothed as with a breastplate. 22Mountains are consumed, and the wilderness is set ablaze, and the green shoots are extinguished like fire. 23The early morning mist provides a swift remedy for all, and the dew falling after heat brings refreshment. 24By his thought, he calms the deep and plants islands within it. 25Those who sail the sea tell of its dangers; and when we hear it, we are amazed. 26There are incredible and wondrous works there, a diversity of all living creatures, and the creation of sea monsters. 27Therefore, his messenger guides on a prosperous path, and by his word, all things are held together. 28We may speak much, yet we will not reach the end; the sum of our words is: "He is all." 29Where then shall we praise him? For he is greater than all his works. 30The Lord is awe-inspiring and very great, and his rule is wondrous. 31You who praise him, exalt the Lord as much as you can, for he will surpass even that; and you who exalt him, increase your strength and do not grow weary, for you will never reach the end. 32Who has seen him and will recount it? And who will magnify him as he truly is? 33Much remains hidden beyond this, for we have only seen a few of his works; 34for the Lord has made all things, and to his faithful ones, he has given wisdom.