Sirach 17

¹The Lord created mankind out of earth, and turned them back to it again. ²He gave them days by number, and a set time, and gave them authority over the things that are on it. ³He endowed 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 dominion over beasts and birds. ⁶He gave them counsel, tongue, eyes, ears, and heart to have understanding. 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 his holy name, 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 decrees. ¹³Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory. Their ears heard the glory of his voice. ¹⁴He said to them, “Beware of all unrighteousness.” So he gave them commandment, each man concerning his neighbor. ¹⁵Their ways are ever before him. They will not be hidden from his eyes. ¹⁷For every nation he appointed a ruler, but Israel is the Lord’s portion. ¹⁹All their works are as clear as the sun before him. His eyes are continually upon their ways. ²⁰Their iniquities are not hidden from him. All their sins are before the Lord. ²²With him the alms of a man is as a signet. He will keep a man’s kindness as the pupil of the eye. ²³Afterwards he will rise up and repay them, and give their repayment upon their head. ²⁴However to those who repent he grants a return. He comforts those who are losing hope. ²⁵Return to the Lord, and forsake sins. Make your prayer before his face offend less. ²⁶Turn again to the Most High, and turn away from iniquity. Greatly hate the abominable thing. ²⁷Who will give praise to the Most High in Hades, in place of the living who return thanks? ²⁸Thanksgiving perishes from the dead, as from one who doesn’t exist. He who 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 humans are not capable of everything, because the son of man is not immortal. ³¹What is brighter than the sun? Yet even this can be eclipsed. So flesh and blood devise evil. ³²He looks upon the power of the height of heaven, while all men are earth and ashes.