Your petitions will carry to the clouds.

Ecclesiasticus, 35

1.One who keeps the Law multiplies offerings; one who follows the commandments offers communion sacrifices.

2.Proof of gratitude is an offering of fine flour, almsgiving a sacrifice of praise.

3.To abandon wickedness is what pleases the Lord, to give up wrong-doing is an expiatory sacrifice.

4.Do not appear empty-handed in the Lord's presence; for all these things are due under the commandment.

5.The offering of the upright graces the altar, and its savour rises before the Most High.

6.The sacrifice of the upright is acceptable, its memorial will not be forgotten.

7.Honour the Lord with generosity, do not stint the first-fruits you bring.

8.Add a smiling face to all your gifts, and be cheerful as you dedicate your tithes.

9.Give to the Most High as he has given to you, as generously as your means can afford;

10.for the Lord is a good rewarder, he will reward you seven times over.

11.Do not try to bribe him with presents, he will not accept them, do not put your faith in wrongly motivated sacrifices;

12.for the Lord is a judge who is utterly impartial.

13.He never shows partiality to the detriment of the poor, he listens to the plea of the injured party.

14.He does not ignore the orphan's supplication, nor the widow's as she pours out her complaint.

15.Do the widow's tears not run down her cheeks, as she accuses the man who is the cause of them?

16.Whoever wholeheartedly serves God will be accepted, his petitions will carry to the clouds.

17.The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds: and until it does, he is not to be consoled,

18.nor will he desist until the Most High takes notice of him, acquits the upright and delivers judgement.

19.And the Lord will not be slow, nor will he be dilatory on their behalf,

20.until he has crushed the loins of the merciless and exacted vengeance on the nations,

21.until he has eliminated the hordes of the arrogant and broken the sceptres of the wicked,

22.until he has repaid all people as their deeds deserve and human actions as their intentions merit,

23.until he has judged the case of his people and made them rejoice in his mercy.

24.Mercy is welcome in time of trouble, like rain clouds in time of drought.