Ben Sira - chapter 39

39: 1 - 35 (translated by Edgar Goodspeed)
It is not so with the one who applies himself, and studies the Law of the Most High. He searches out the wisdom of all the ancients, and busies himself with prophecies; he observes the discourse of famous men, and penetrates the intricacies of figures. He searches out the hidden meaning of proverbs, and acquaints himself with the obscurities of figures. He will serve among the great, and appear before rulers. He will travel through the lands of strange peoples, and test what is good and what is evil among men / in the human lot. He will devote himself to going early to the Lord his Maker, and will make his entreaty before the Most High. He will open his mouth in prayer, and make intreaty for his sins.
If the great Lord pleases, he will be filled with the spirit of understanding, he will pour out his wise saying, and give thanks to the Lord in prayer; the Lord will direct his counsel and knowledge, and study his secrets. He will reveal instruction in his teaching, and will glory in the Law of the Lord's agreement. Many will praise his understanding, and it will never be blotted out. His memory will not disappear, and his name will live for endless generations. Nations will repeat his wisdom, and the congregation will utter his praise. If he lives long, he will leave a greater name than a tousand, and if he goes to rest, his fame is enough for him.
I have reflected further, and I will utter it, and I am full as the full moon. Listen to me, you holy sons, and bud like a rose that grows by a watercourse; exhale fragrance like a frankincense tree, and blossom like a lily. Give forth an odor and sing a song, bless the Lord for all His works. Magnify His name and confess Him with praise, with songs on your lips and with lyres, and this is what you are to say in your thanksgiving: "The works of the Lord are all extremely good, and every command of His will be obeyed in its proper season." No one can say "What does this mean? Why is that?" For in His good time they will all be searched out, at His command the waters stood in a heap, and the reservoirs of water at the word He uttered. At His order all that He pleases is done, and there is no one who can interfere with His saving power. The doings/works of all are before Him, and it is not possible to be hidden from His eyes. From everlasting to everlasting He beholds them, and nothing is marvelous to/for Him. No one can say, "What does this mean? Why is that?" For everything has been created for its use.
His blessing covers the land like a river, and saturates the dry land like a flood. As He turns fresh water into salt water, so the heathen will experience His wrath. To His people His ways are straight, just as they are stumbling blocks to the disobedient. From the beginning good things have been created for the good, just as evils [and good things - Hebrew & Syriac versions] have been created for sinners. The elements necessary for human life are water and fire and iron and salt, and wheat flour and milk and honey, the blood of grape, and olive oil and clothing. All theses things prove good to the godly, just as they turn into evils for the sinful.
There are winds which have been created for vengeance, and when He is angry, they make their scourges strong; when the consummation comes, they will pour out their strength, and calm the anger of their Creator. Fire and hail and famine and death -- these have all been created for vengeance. The fangs of wild animals, and scorpions and vipers, and the sword that drives the ungodly to destruction -- they will rejoice when He commands, and be made ready on the earth for their functions. And they will not disobey His word, at their proper times.
Therefore from the beginning I have become assured, and have treached this conclusion and left it in writing: The works of the Lord are all good, and will supply every need when it arises, and no one can say, "This is worse than that," for they will all prove good in their season. So now sing praise with all your heart and voice, and bless the name of the Lord.