Sirach 17

17God created man out of dust,

And turned him back thereunto.

He granted them a ^[fixed^[ number of days,

And gave them authority over all things on the earth.

He clothed them with strength like unto Himself,

And made them according to His own image.

He put the fear of them upon all flesh,

And caused them to have power over beasts and birds.

With insight and understanding He filled their heart,

And taught them good and evil.

He created for them tongue, and eyes, and ears,

And He gave them a heart to understand,

To show them the majesty of His works,

And that they might glory in His wondrous acts;

*That they might evermore declare His glorious works,

And praise His holy name.

He set before them the covenant;

The law of life He gave them for a heritage.

He made an everlasting covenant with them,

And showed them His judgements.

Their eyes beheld His glorious majesty,

And their ear heard His glorious voice;

And He said unto them, Beware of all unrighteousness;

And He gave them commandment, to each man concerning his neighbour.

Their ways are everb before Him,

They are not hid from His eyes.

^[For every nation He appointed a ruler,

But Israel is the Lord’s portion^[.

All their works are ^[clear^[ as the sun before Him,

And His eyes are continually upon their ways.

Their iniquities are not hid from Him,

And all their sins are ^[inscribed^[ before the Lord.

The righteousness of menis to Him as a signet,

And the mercy of man He preserveth as the apple of an eye.

Afterwards He will rise up and recompense them,

And will visit their deeds upon their own head.

Nevertheless to them that repent doth He grant a return,

And comforteth them that lose hope.

Turn unto the Lord, and forsake sins;

Supplicate before ⁽His⁽ face, and ⁽so⁽ lessen offence.

Turn unto the Most High, and turn away from iniquity,

And vehemently hate the abominable thing.

For what pleasure hath God in all that perish in Hades,

In place of those who live and give Him praise?

Thanksgiving perisheth from the dead as from one that is not,

⁽But⁽ he that liveth and is in health praiseth the Lord.

How great is the mercy of the Lord,

And His forgiveness unto them that turn unto Him.

For it is not like this in man,

Nor is ⁽God’s⁽ thought like the thoughts of the children of men.

What is brighter than the sun? Yet this faileth;

And ⁽how much more⁽ man, who ⁽hath⁽ the inclination of flesh and blood!

He looketh upon the hosts of heaven,

And on men who are dust and ashes.