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Sirach 35: 1-12

The Law and Sacrifices

35One who keeps the law makes many offerings;
²   one who heeds the commandments makes an offering of well-being.
³ One who returns a kindness offers choice flour,
⁴   and one who gives alms sacrifices a thank-offering.
⁵ To keep from wickedness is pleasing to the Lord,
   and to forsake unrighteousness is an atonement.
⁶ Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed,
⁷   for all that you offer is in fulfilment of the commandment.
⁸ The offering of the righteous enriches the altar,
   and its pleasing odour rises before the Most High.
⁹ The sacrifice of the righteous is acceptable,
   and it will never be forgotten.
¹⁰ Be generous when you worship the Lord,
   and do not stint the first fruits of your hands.
¹¹ With every gift show a cheerful face,
   and dedicate your tithe with gladness.
¹² Give to the Most High as he has given to you,
   and as generously as you can afford.

James 4: 1-10

Friendship with the World

4Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? ²You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet^* something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. ³You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures. ⁴Adulterers! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. ⁵Or do you suppose that it is for nothing that the scripture says, ‘God^* yearns jealously for the spirit that he has made to dwell in us’? ⁶But he gives all the more grace; therefore it says,
‘God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble.’
⁷Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection. ¹⁰Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.