Sirach 17

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	JERUSALEM
1 The LORD from the earth created man, and in his own image he made him.	1 Le Seigneur a tiré l'homme de la terre pour l'y renvoyer ensuite.
2 Limited days of life he gives him and makes him return to earth again.	2 Il a assigné aux hommes un nombre précis de jours et un temps déterminé, il a remis en leurpouvoir ce qui est sur terre.
3 He endows man with a strength of his own, and with power over all things else on earth.	3 Il les a revêtus de force, comme lui-même, à son image il les a créés.
4 He puts the fear of him in all flesh, and gives him rule over beasts and birds.	4 A toute chair il a inspiré la terreur de l'homme, pour qu'il domine bêtes sauvages et oiseaux.
5 He forms men's tongues and eyes and ears, and imparts to them an understanding heart.
6 With wisdom and knowledge he fills them; good and evil he shows them.	6 Il leur forma une langue, des yeux, des oreilles, il leur donna un coeur pour penser.
7 He looks with favor upon their hearts, and shows them his glorious works,	7 Il les remplit de science et d'intelligence et leur fit connaître le bien et le mal.
8 That they may describe the wonders of his deeds and praise his holy name.	8 Il mit sa lumière dans leur coeur pour leur montrer la grandeur de ses oeuvres.
9 He has set before them knowledge, a law of life as their inheritance;
10 An everlasting covenant he has made with them, his commandments he has revealed to them.	10 Ils loueront son saint nom, racontant la grandeur de ses oeuvres.
11 His majestic glory their eyes beheld, his glorious voice their ears heard.	11 Il leur accorda encore la connaissance, il les gratifia de la loi de la vie:
12 He says to them, "Avoid all evil"; each of them he gives precepts about his fellow men.	12 il a conclu avec eux une alliance éternelle et leur a fait connaître ses jugements;
13 Their ways are ever known to him, they cannot be hidden from his eyes.	13 leurs yeux contemplèrent la grandeur de sa majesté, leurs oreilles entendirent lamagnificence de sa voix.
14 Over every nation he places a ruler, but the LORD'S own portion is Israel.	14 Il leur dit: "Gardez-vous de tout mal", il leur donna des commandements chacun à l'égardde son prochain.
15 All their actions are clear as the sun to him, his eyes are ever upon their ways.	15 Leur conduite est toujours devant lui, jamais cachée à ses regards.
16 Their wickedness cannot be hidden from him; all of their sins are before the LORD.
17 A man's goodness God cherishes like a signet ring, a man's virtue, like the apple of his eye.	17 A chaque peuple il a préposé un prince, mais Israël est la portion du Seigneur.
18 Later he will rise up and repay them, and requite each one of them as they deserve.
19 But to the penitent he provides a way back, he encourages those who are losing hope!	19 Toutes leurs actions sont devant lui comme le soleil, ses regards sont assidus à observerleur conduite.
20 Return to the LORD and give up sin, pray to him and make your offenses few.	20 Leurs injustices ne lui sont point cachées, tous leurs péchés sont devant le Seigneur.
21 Turn again to the Most High and away from sin, hate intensely what he loathes;
22 Who in the nether world can glorify the Most High in place of the living who offer their praise?	22 L'aumône d'un homme est pour lui comme un sceau, il conserve un bienfait comme lapupille de l'oeil.
23 No more can the dead give praise than those who have never lived; they glorify the LORD who are alive and well.	23 Un jour il se lèvera et les récompensera, sur leur tête il fera venir leur récompense.
24 How great the mercy of the LORD, his forgiveness of those who return to him!	24 Mais à ceux qui se repentent il accorde un retour, il réconforte ceux qui ont perdul'espérance.
25 The like cannot be found in men, for not immortal is any son of man.	25 Convertis-toi au Seigneur et renonce à tes péchés, implore-le bien en face, cesse del'offenser.
26 Is anything brighter than the sun? Yet it can be eclipsed. How obscure then the thoughts of flesh and blood!	26 Reviens vers le Très-Haut, détourne-toi de l'injustice et hais vigoureusement l'iniquité.
27 God watches over the hosts of highest heaven, while all men are dust and ashes.	27 Car qui louera le Très-Haut dans le shéol, si les vivants ne lui rendent gloire?