Sirach 43:1-16

1 The pride of the height, the clear firmament, the beauty of heaven, with his glorious shew;
2 The sun when it appeareth, declaring at his rising a marvellous instrument, the work of the most High:
3 At noon it parcheth the country, and who can abide the burning heat thereof?
4 A 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.
5 Great is the Lord that made it; and at his commandment runneth hastily.
6 He made the moon also to serve in her season for a declaration of times, and a sign of the world.
7 From the moon is the sign of feasts, a light that decreaseth in her perfection.
8 The month is called after her name, increasing wonderfully in her changing, being an instrument of the armies above, shining in the firmament of heaven;
9 The beauty of heaven, the glory of the stars, an ornament giving light in the highest places of the Lord.
10 At the commandment of the Holy One they will stand in their order, and never faint in their watches.
11 Look upon the rainbow, and praise him that made it; very beautiful it is in the brightness thereof.
12 It compasseth the heaven about with a glorious circle, and the hands of the most High have bended it.
13 By his commandment he maketh the snow to fall aplace, and sendeth swiftly the lightnings of his judgment.
14 Through this the treasures are opened: and clouds fly forth as fowls.
15 By his great power he maketh the clouds firm, and the hailstones are broken small.
16 At his sight the mountains are shaken, and at his will the south wind bloweth.