Sirach 17

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 The LORD from the earth created man, and in his own image he made him.	1 The Lord created man of the earth, and turned him into it again.
2 Limited days of life he gives him and makes him return to earth again.	2 He gave them few days, and a short time, and power also over the things therein.
3 He endows man with a strength of his own, and with power over all things else on earth.	3 He endued them with strength by themselves, and made them according to his image,
4 He puts the fear of him in all flesh, and gives him rule over beasts and birds.	4 And put the fear of man upon all flesh, and gave him dominion over beasts and fowls.
5 He forms men's tongues and eyes and ears, and imparts to them an understanding heart.	5 They received the use of the five operations of the Lord, and in the sixth place he imparted them understanding, and in the seventh speech, an interpreter of the cogitations thereof.]
6 With wisdom and knowledge he fills them; good and evil he shows them.	6 Counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, ears, and a heart, gave he them to understand.
7 He looks with favor upon their hearts, and shows them his glorious works,	7 Withal he filled them with the knowledge of understanding, and shewed them good and evil.
8 That they may describe the wonders of his deeds and praise his holy name.	8 He set his eye upon their hearts, that he might shew them the greatness of his works.
9 He has set before them knowledge, a law of life as their inheritance;	9 He gave them to glory in his marvellous acts for ever, that they might declare his works with understanding.
10 An everlasting covenant he has made with them, his commandments he has revealed to them.	10 And the elect shall praise his holy name.
11 His majestic glory their eyes beheld, his glorious voice their ears heard.	11 Beside this he gave them knowledge, and the law of life for an heritage.
12 He says to them, "Avoid all evil"; each of them he gives precepts about his fellow men.	12 He made an everlasting covenant with them, and shewed them his judgments.
13 Their ways are ever known to him, they cannot be hidden from his eyes.	13 Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard his glorious voice.
14 Over every nation he places a ruler, but the LORD'S own portion is Israel.	14 And he said unto them, Beware of all unrighteousness; and he gave every man commandment concerning his neighbour.
15 All their actions are clear as the sun to him, his eyes are ever upon their ways.	15 Their ways are ever before him, and shall not be hid from his eyes.
16 Their wickedness cannot be hidden from him; all of their sins are before the LORD.	16 Every man from his youth is given to evil; neither could they make to themselves fleshy hearts for stony.
17 A man's goodness God cherishes like a signet ring, a man's virtue, like the apple of his eye.	17 For in the division of the nations of the whole earth he set a ruler over every people; but Israel is the Lord's portion:
18 Later he will rise up and repay them, and requite each one of them as they deserve.	18 Whom, being his firstborn, he nourisheth with discipline, and giving him the light of his love doth not forsake him.
19 But to the penitent he provides a way back, he encourages those who are losing hope!	19 Therefore all their works are as the sun before him, and his eyes are continually upon their ways.
20 Return to the LORD and give up sin, pray to him and make your offenses few.	20 None of their unrighteous deeds are hid from him, but all their sins are before the Lord
21 Turn again to the Most High and away from sin, hate intensely what he loathes;	21 But the Lord being gracious and knowing his workmanship, neither left nor forsook them, but spared them.
22 Who in the nether world can glorify the Most High in place of the living who offer their praise?	22 The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and he will keep the good deeds of man as the apple of the eye, and give repentance to his sons and daughters.
23 No more can the dead give praise than those who have never lived; they glorify the LORD who are alive and well.	23 Afterwards he will rise up and reward them, and render their recompence upon their heads.
24 How great the mercy of the LORD, his forgiveness of those who return to him!	24 But unto them that repent, he granted them return, and comforted those that failed in patience.
25 The like cannot be found in men, for not immortal is any son of man.	25 Return unto the Lord, and forsake thy sins, make thy prayer before his face, and offend less.
26 Is anything brighter than the sun? Yet it can be eclipsed. How obscure then the thoughts of flesh and blood!	26 Turn again to the most High, and turn away from iniquity: for he will lead thee out of darkness into the light of health, and hate thou abomination vehemently.
27 God watches over the hosts of highest heaven, while all men are dust and ashes.	27 Who shall praise the most High in the grave, instead of them which live and give thanks?
	28 Thanksgiving perisheth from the dead, as from one that is not: the living and sound in heart shall praise the Lord.
	29 How great is the lovingkindness of the Lord our God, and his compassion unto such as turn unto him in holiness!
	30 For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal.
	31 What is brighter than the sun? yet the light thereof faileth; and flesh and blood will imagine evil.
	32 He vieweth the power of the height of heaven; and all men are but earth and ashes.