Sirach 17

1The Lord created man out of earth,

and turned him back to it again.

2He gave to mena few days, a limited time,

but granted them authority over the things upon the earth.b

3He endowed them with strength like his own,c

and made them in his own image.

4He placed the fear of themd in all living beings,

and granted them dominion over beasts and birds.e

6He made for themf tongue and eyes;

he gave them ears and a mind for thinking.

7He filled them with knowledge and understanding,

and showed them good and evil.

8He set his eye upon their hearts

to show them the majesty of his works.g

10And they will praise his holy name,

to proclaim the grandeur of his works.

11He bestowed knowledge upon them,

and allotted to them the law of life.

12He established with them an eternal covenant,

and showed them his judgments.

13Their eyes saw his glorious majesty,

and their ears heard the glory of his voice.

14And he said to them, "Beware of all unrighteousness."h

And he gave commandment to each of them concerning his neighbor.

15Their ways are always before him,

they will not be hid from his eyes.i

17He appointed a ruler for every nation,

but Israel is the Lord's own portion.j

19All their works are as the sun before him,

and his eyes are continually upon their ways.

20Their iniquities are not hidden from him,

and all their sins are before the Lord.k

22A man's almsgiving is like a signet with the Lord,l

and he will keep a person's kindness like the apple of his eye.

23Afterward he will arise and requite them,

and he will bring their recompense on their heads.

24Yet to those who repent he grants a return,

and he encourages those whose endurance is failing.