Sirach 15:15–20

¹⁵If you will, you can keep the commandments,

and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice.

¹⁶He has placed before you fire and water:

stretch out your hand for whichever you wish.

¹⁷Before a man are life and death,

and whichever he chooses will be given to him.

¹⁸For great is the wisdom of the Lord;

he is mighty in power and sees everything;

¹⁹his eyes are on those who fear him,

and he knows every deed of man.

²⁰He has not commanded any one to be ungodly,

and he has not given any one permission to sin.