Sirach 17

1The Lord created man of the earth, And turned him back to it again.

2He gave them days by number, and a set time, And gave them authority over the things that are thereon.

3He endued them with strength proper to them; And made them according to his own image.

4He put the fear of man upon all flesh, And gave him to have dominion over beasts and fowls.

6Counsel, and tongue, and eyes, Ears, and heart, gave he them to understand withal.

7He filled them with the knowledge of wisdom, And showed them good and evil.

8He set his eye upon their hearts, To show them the majesty of his works.

10And they will praise the name of his holiness, That they may declare the majesty of his works.

11He added to them knowledge, And gave them a law of life for a heritage.

12He made an everlasting covenant with them, And showed them his judgements.

13Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory; And their ear heard the glory of his voice.

14And he said to them, Beware of all unrighteousness; And he gave them commandment, each man concerning his neighbor.

15Their ways are ever before him; They will not be hid from his eyes.

17For every nation he appointed a ruler; And Israel is the Lord’s portion.

19All their works are as the sun before him; And his eyes are continually upon their ways.

20Their iniquities are not hid from him; And all their sins are before the Lord.

22With him the alms of a man is as a signet; And he will keep the bounty of a man as the apple of the eye.

23Afterwards he will rise up and recompense them, And render their recompense upon their head.

24Howbeit to those who repent he granteth a return; And he comforteth those who are losing patience.

25Return to the Lord, and forsake sins: Make your prayer before his face, and lessen the offence.

26Turn again to the Most High, and turn away from iniquity; And greatly hate the abominable thing.

27Who will give praise to the Most High in the grave, Instead of them which live and return thanks?

28Thanksgiving perishes from the dead, as from one that is not: He that is in life and health will praise the Lord.

29How great is the mercy of the Lord, And his forgiveness to those who turn to him!

30For all things can’t be in men, Because the son of man is not immortal.

31What is brighter than the sun? yet this fails: And an evil man will think on flesh and blood.

32He looks upon the power of the height of heaven: And all men are earth and ashes.