17 | Ecclesiasticus | ||
1 | The Lord created man out of earth, and turned him back to it again. | ||
2 | He gave to men few days, a limited time, but granted them authority over the things upon the earth. | ||
3 | He endowed them with strength like his own, and made them in his own image. | ||
4 | He placed the fear of them in all living beings, and granted them dominion over beasts and birds. | ||
6 | He made for them tongue and eyes; he gave them ears and a mind for thinking. | ||
7 | He filled them with knowledge and understanding, and showed them good and evil. | ||
8 | He set his eye upon their hearts to show them the majesty of his works. | ||
10 | And they will praise his holy name, to proclaim the grandeur of his works. | ||
11 | He bestowed knowledge upon them, and allotted to them the law of life. | ||
12 | He established with them an eternal covenant, and showed them his judgments. | ||
13 | Their eyes saw his glorious majesty, and their ears heard the glory of his voice. | ||
14 | And he said to them, "Beware of all unrighteousness." And he gave commandment to each of them concerning his neighbour. | ||
15 | Their ways are always before him, they will not be hid from his eyes. | God is judge. Sir.17.15-24 | |
17 | He appointed a ruler for every nation, but Israel is the Lord's own portion. | ||
19 | All their works are as the sun before him, and his eyes are continually upon their ways. | ||
20 | Their iniquities are not hidden from him, and all their sins are before the Lord. | ||
22 | A man's almsgiving is like a signet with the Lord and he will keep a person's kindness like the apple of his eye. | ||
23 | Afterward he will arise and requite them, and he will bring their recompense on their heads. | ||
24 | Yet to those who repent he grants a return, and he encourages those whose endurance is failing. | ||
25 | Turn to the Lord and forsake your sins; pray in his presence and lessen your offences. | A call to repentance. Sir.17.25-32 | |
26 | Return to the Most High and turn away from iniquity, and hate abominations intensely. | ||
27 | Who will sing praises to the Most High in Hades, as do those who are alive and give thanks? | ||
28 | From the dead, as from one who does not exist, thanksgiving has ceased; he who is alive and well sings the Lord's praises. | ||
29 | How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness for those who turn to him! | ||
30 | For all things cannot be in men, since a son of man is not immortal. | ||
31 | What is brighter than the sun? Yet its light fails. So flesh and blood devise evil. | ||
32 | He marshals the host of the height of heaven; but all men are dust and ashes. | ||
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