Sirach 17

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

2He gave them a fixed number of days and a set time, and he gave them authority over the things on it.

3And he clothed them with strength, and made them according to his image.

4And he placed his fear upon all flesh, and to rule over beasts and birds.

5He gave them counsel and a tongue and eyes, ears and a heart, to reason with.

6He filled them with the knowledge of understanding, and showed them good and evil.

7He set his eye upon their hearts, to show them the greatness of his works.

8and they will praise the holy name,

9so that they might recount the mighty deeds of his works.

10He added knowledge to them, and he bequeathed to them the law of life.

11He established with them an everlasting covenant, and showed them his judgments.

12Their eyes saw a majestic glory, and their ears heard the glory of his voice.

13And he said to them, “Watch yourselves against every injustice,” and he commanded each of them concerning his neighbor.

14Their ways are always before him; they will not be hidden from his eyes.

15For each nation he appointed a ruler, and Israel is the Lord’s own portion.

16All their works are before him like the sun, and his eyes are continually upon their ways.

17Their injustices were not hidden from him, and every sin of theirs was before the Lord.

18A man's almsgiving is like a seal with him, and he will preserve a person's kindness like the pupil of the eye.

19After this he will rise up and repay them, and he will bring their repayment upon their head.

20Yet to those who repent he granted a return, and he encouraged those who were failing in patience.

21Return to the Lord and leave sins behind; pray before his face and lessen stumbling.

22Return to the Most High and turn away from unrighteousness, and hate what is abominable intensely.

23Who will sing praise to the Most High in Hades, instead of the living who give thanks?

24From the dead, as from one who no longer exists, thanksgiving perishes; but one who is alive and well will praise the Lord.

25How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his atonement for those who turn to him.

26For not everything can be in human beings, because a son of man is not immortal.

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

28From the dead, as from one who no longer exists, praise perishes; but one who is alive and well will praise the Lord.

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

30For not everything can be among human beings, because a son of man is not immortal.

31What is brighter than the sun? Yet even this fails, and flesh and blood devises evil.

32He himself watches over the host of the height of heaven, and all men are earth and ashes.