Sirach 17
1 The Lord created man of the earth,
and turned him into it again. 2 He
gave them few days, and a short time, and power also over the things therein.
3 He endued them with strength by
themselves, and made them according to his image,
4 and put the fear of man upon all
flesh, and gave him dominion over beasts and fowls.
6 Counsel, and a tongue, and eyes,
ears, and a heart, gave he them to understand.
7 Withal he filled them with the
knowledge of understanding, and shewed them good and evil.
8 He set his eye upon their hearts,
that he might shew them the greatness of his works;
10 and they shall praise his holy
name, that they may search out his marvellous works.
11 Beside this he gave them
knowledge, and the law of life for an heritage.
12 He made an everlasting covenant
with them, and shewed them his judgments.
13 Their eyes saw the majesty of his
glory, and their ears heard his glorious voice.
14 And he said unto them, Beware of
all unrighteousness; and he gave every man commandment concerning his
neighbour. 15 Their ways are ever
before him, and shall not be hid from his eyes.
17 For in the division of the nations
of the whole earth he set a ruler over every people; but Israel is the Lord's
portion: 19 Therefore all their works
are as the sun before him, and his eyes are continually upon their ways.
20 None of their unrighteous deeds
are hid from him, but all their sins are before the Lord.
22 The alms of a man is as a signet
with him, and he will keep the good deeds of man as the apple of the eye, and
give repentance to his sons and daughters.
23 Afterwards he will rise up and
reward them, and render their recompence upon their heads.
24 But unto them that repent, he
granted them return, and comforted those that failed in patience.
25 Return unto the Lord, and forsake
thy sins, make thy prayer before his face, and offend less.
26 Turn again to the most High, and
turn away from iniquity: for he will lead thee out of darkness into the light
of health, and hate thou abomination vehemently.
27 Who shall praise the most High in
the grave, instead of them which live and give thanks?
28 Thanksgiving perisheth from the
dead, as from one that is not: the living and sound in heart shall praise the
Lord. 29 How great is the
lovingkindness of the Lord our God, and his compassion unto such as turn unto
him in holiness! 30 For all things
cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal.
31 What is brighter than the sun? yet
the light thereof faileth: and flesh and blood will imagine evil.
32 He vieweth the power of the height
of heaven; and all men are but earth and ashes.