Scrutatio

Giovedi, 28 marzo 2024 - San Castore di Tarso ( Letture di oggi)

Sirach 17


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1The Lord fashioned human beings from the earth, to consign them back to it.2He gave them so many days and so much time, he gave them authority over everything on earth.3He clothed them in strength, like himself, and made them in his own image.4He fil ed al living things with dread of human beings, making them masters over beasts and birds.56He made them a tongue, eyes and ears, and gave them a heart to think with.7He fil ed them with knowledge and intelligence, and showed them what was good and what evil.8He put his own light in their hearts to show them the magnificence of his works,910so that they would praise his holy name as they told of his magnificent works.11He set knowledge before them, he endowed them with the law of life.12He established an eternal covenant with them, and revealed his judgements to them.13Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard the glory of his voice.14He said to them, 'Beware of al wrong-doing'; he gave each a commandment concerning hisneighbour.15Their ways are always under his eye, they cannot be hidden from his sight.1617Over each nation he has set a governor, but Israel is the Lord's own portion.1819Their actions are al as plain as the sun to him, and his eyes rest constantly on their conduct.20Their iniquities are not hidden from him, al their sins are before the Lord.2122Almsgiving is like a signet ring to him, he cherishes generosity like the pupil of an eye.23One day he wil rise and reward them, he wil repay their deserts on their own heads.24But to those who repent he permits return, and he encourages those who have lost hope.25Return to the Lord and renounce your sins, plead before his face, stop offending him.26Come back to the Most High, turn away from iniquity and hold all that is foul in abhorrence.27Who is going to praise the Most High in Sheol if we do not glorify him while we are alive?28The dead can praise no more than those who do not exist, only those with life and health can praisethe Lord.29How great is the mercy of the Lord, his pardon for those who turn to him!30For we cannot have everything, human beings are not immortal.31What is brighter than the sun? And yet it fades. Flesh and blood think of nothing but evil.32He surveys the armies of the lofty sky, and al of us are only dust and ashes.