Sirach 17

The AIT Bible

The Creation of Humankind

1The Lord created man from the earth, and to it he returned him again.

2He gave them a number of days and a season, and gave them authority over the things upon it.

3He clothed them with strength like his own, and made them according to his image.

4He put the fear of them on all flesh, and gave them dominion over beasts and birds.

6He gave them counsel, a tongue, and eyes, ears and a heart to understand.

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

8He placed his eye upon their hearts to show them the majesty of his works,

9so that they might declare the majesty of his works,

10and praise his holy name.

11He gave them knowledge in addition, and gave them the law of life as an inheritance.

12He established an everlasting covenant with them, and showed them his judgments.

13Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard the glory of his voice.

14And he said to them, “Beware of all unrighteousness,” and he commanded each one concerning his neighbor.

God's Watchfulness and Mercy

15Their ways are always before him; they are not hidden from his eyes.

17He appointed a ruler for every nation, but Israel is the Lord’s own portion.

19All their works are like the sun before him, and his eyes are continually on their ways.

20Their iniquities are not hidden from him, and all their sins are before the Lord.

22A man’s almsgiving is like a signet ring with him, and he will keep a person’s kindness like the apple of his eye.

23Afterward he will rise up and repay them, and bring their recompense upon their own heads.

24But to those who repent he grants a way back, and he encourages those who are losing hope.

A Call to Return to the Lord

25Return to the Lord and forsake your sins; pray before him and lessen your offense.

26Turn back to the Most High and turn away from iniquity, and hate abomination intensely.

27Who will praise the Most High in Hades, instead of the living who give thanks?

28Praise perishes from the dead, as from one who does not exist; he who is alive and well will praise the Lord.

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

30For not all things are in the power of humans, because a son of man is not immortal.

31What is brighter than the sun? Yet even it fails. And an evil person will think on flesh and blood.

32He reviews the host in the height of heaven, but all people are earth and ashes.

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