Sirach 17

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW JERUSALEM
1 God created man of the earth, and made him after his own image.	1 The Lord fashioned human beings from the earth, to consign them back to it.
2 And he turned him into it again, and clothed him with strength according to himself.	2 He gave them so many days and so much time, he gave them authority over everything on 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 clothed them in strength, like himself, 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 fil ed al living things with dread of human beings, making them masters 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 them a tongue, eyes and ears, and gave them a heart to think with.
7 He set his eye upon their hearts to shew them the greatness of his works:	7 He fil ed them with knowledge and intelligence, and showed them what was good and what 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 put his own light in their hearts to show them the magnificence 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 so that they would praise his holy name as they told of his magnificent 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 set knowledge before them, he endowed them with the law of life.
12 And he gave to every one of them commandment concerning his neighbour.	12 He established an eternal covenant with them, and revealed his judgements to them.
13 Their ways are always before him, they are not hidden from his eyes.	13 Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard the glory of his voice.
14 Over every nation he set a ruler.	14 He said to them, 'Beware of al wrong-doing'; he gave each a commandment concerning hisneighbour.
15 And Israel was made the manifest portion of God.	15 Their ways are always under his eye, they cannot be hidden from his sight.
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 Over each nation he has set a governor, 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 Their actions are al as plain as the sun to him, and his eyes rest constantly on their conduct.
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, al 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 Almsgiving is like a signet ring to him, he cherishes generosity like the pupil of an eye.
23 Return to the Lord, and turn away from thy injustice, and greatly hate abomination.	23 One day he wil rise and reward them, he wil repay their deserts on their own 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 But to those who repent he permits return, and he encourages those who have lost hope.
25 Go to the side of the holy age, with them that live and give praise to God.	25 Return to the Lord and renounce your sins, plead before his face, stop offending him.
26 Tarry not in the error of the ungodly, give glory before death. Praise perisheth from the dead as nothing.	26 Come back to the Most High, turn away from iniquity and hold all that is foul in abhorrence.
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 is going to praise the Most High in Sheol if we do not glorify him while we are alive?
28 How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness to them that turn to him I	28 The dead can praise no more than those who do not exist, only those with life and health can praisethe Lord.
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, his pardon 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 we cannot have everything, human beings are 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? And yet it fades. Flesh and blood think of nothing but evil.
	32 He surveys the armies of the lofty sky, and al of us are only dust and ashes.