Sirach 5:4-7

Revised Standard Version

⁴ Do not say, “I sinned, and what happened to me?”
    for the Lord is slow to anger.
⁵ Do not be so confident of atonement
    that you add sin to sin.
⁶ Do not say, “His mercy is great,
    he will forgive^[a] the multitude of my sins,”
for both mercy and wrath are with him,
    and his anger rests on sinners.
⁷ Do not delay to turn to the Lord,
    nor postpone it from day to day;
for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will go forth,
    and at the time of punishment you will perish.