Sirach 17

DOUAI-RHEIMS	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
1 God created man of the earth, and made him after his own image.	1 The Lord created man out of earth, and turned him back to it again.
2 And he turned him into it again, and clothed him with strength according to himself.	2 He gave to men few days, a limited time, but granted them authority over the things upon the earth.
3 He gave him the number of his days and time, and gave him power over all things that are upon the earth.	3 He endowed them with strength like his own, and made them in his own image.
4 He put the fear of him upon all flesh, and he had dominion over beasts and fowls.	4 He placed the fear of them in all living beings, and granted them dominion over beasts and birds.
5 He created of him a helpmate like to himself: he gave them counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, and ears, and a heart to devise: and he filled them with the knowledge of understanding.	5 .
6 He created in them the science of the spirit, he filled their heart with wisdom, and shewed them both good and evil.	6 He made for them tongue and eyes; he gave them ears and a mind for thinking.
7 He set his eye upon their hearts to shew them the greatness of his works:	7 He filled them with knowledge and understanding, and showed them good and evil.
8 That they might praise the name which he hath sanctified: and glory in his wondrous acts, that they might declare the glorious things of his works.	8 He set his eye upon their hearts to show them the majesty of his works.
9 Moreover he gave them instructions, and the law of life for an inheritance.	9 .
10 He made an everlasting covenant with them, and he shewed them his justice and judgments.	10 And they will praise his holy name, to proclaim the grandeur of his works.
11 And their eye saw the majesty of his glory. and their ears heard his glorious voice, and he said to them: Beware of all iniquity.	11 He bestowed knowledge upon them, and allotted to them the law of life.
12 And he gave to every one of them commandment concerning his neighbour.	12 He established with them an eternal covenant, and showed them his judgments.
13 Their ways are always before him, they are not hidden from his eyes.	13 Their eyes saw his glorious majesty, and their ears heard the glory of his voice.
14 Over every nation he set a ruler.	14 And he said to them, "Beware of all unrighteousness." And he gave commandment to each of them concerning his neighbor.
15 And Israel was made the manifest portion of God.	15 Their ways are always before him, they will not be hid from his eyes.
16 And all their works are as the sun in the sight of God: and his eyes are continually upon their ways.	16 .
17 Their covenants were not hid by their iniquity, and all their iniquities are in the sight of God.	17 He appointed a ruler for every nation, but Israel is the Lord's own portion.
18 The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and shall preserve the grace of a man as the apple of the eye:	18 .
19 And afterward he shall rise up, and shall render them their reward, to every one upon their own head, and shall turn them down into the bowels of the earth.	19 All their works are as the sun before him, and his eyes are continually upon their ways.
20 But to the penitent he hath given the way of justice, and he hath strengthened them that were fainting in patience, and hath appointed to them the lot of truth.	20 Their iniquities are not hidden from him, and all their sins are before the Lord.
21 Turn to the Lord, and forsake thy sins:	21 .
22 Make thy prayer before the face of the Lord, and offend less.	22 A man's almsgiving is like a signet with the Lord, and he will keep a person's kindness like the apple of his eye.
23 Return to the Lord, and turn away from thy injustice, and greatly hate abomination.	23 Afterward he will arise and requite them, and he will bring their recompense on their heads.
24 And know the justices and judgments of God, and stand firm in the lot set before thee, and in prayer to the most high God.	24 Yet to those who repent he grants a return, and he encourages those whose endurance is failing.
25 Go to the side of the holy age, with them that live and give praise to God.	25 Turn to the Lord and forsake your sins; pray in his presence and lessen your offenses.
26 Tarry not in the error of the ungodly, give glory before death. Praise perisheth from the dead as nothing.	26 Return to the Most High and turn away from iniquity, and hate abominations intensely.
27 Give thanks whilst thou art living, whilst thou art alive and in health thou shalt give thanks, and shalt praise God, and shalt glory in his mercies.	27 Who will sing praises to the Most High in Hades, as do those who are alive and give thanks?
28 How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness to them that turn to him I	28 From the dead, as from one who does not exist, thanksgiving has ceased; he who is alive and well sings the Lord's praises.
29 For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal, and they are delighted with the vanity of evil.	29 How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness for those who turn to him!
30 What is brighter than the sun; yet it shall be eclipsed. Or what is more wicked than that which flesh and blood hath invented? and this shall be reproved.	30 For all things cannot be in men, since a son of man is not immortal.
31 He beholdeth the power of the height of heaven: and all men are earth and ashes.	31 What is brighter than the sun? Yet its light fails. So flesh and blood devise evil.
	32 He marshals the host of the height of heaven; but all men are dust and ashes.