Creation of Man
Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 1. The Lord created man from the earth And returned him to it again. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 2. He gave them a certain number of days and an appointed time, And He gave them authority over it. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 3. He clothed them in strength like His own And made them in His image. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 4. He put the fear of man upon all flesh And gave him dominion over wild animals and birds. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 5. He gave mankind the ability to deliberate, And a tongue, eyes and ears, and a heart to think with. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 6. He filled them with the skill of comprehension And showed them good and evil. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 7. He set His eye upon their hearts To show them the majesty of His works. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 8. They will praise His holy name So as to fully describe the majesty of His works.
The Covenant with Israel
Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 9. He added knowledge to them And gave them the law of life as a heritage. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 10. He established an eternal covenant with them, And He showed His judgments to them. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 11. Their eyes saw His glorious majesty, And their ears heard His glorious voice. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 12. He said to them, “Beware of all unrighteousness,” And He commanded each of them concerning his neighbor. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 13. Their ways are before Him continually; They will not be hidden from His eyes. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 14. He appointed a ruler for every nation, But Israel is the Lord's portion. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 15. All His works are as the sun before Him, And His eyes are continually on their ways. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 16. Their wrongdoings are not hidden from Him, And all their sins are before the Lord. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 17. A man's almsgiving is like a seal with Him, And He will treasure the kindness of a man like the pupil of His eye. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 18. After this He will arise and repay them, And He will reward them with retribution on their head. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 19. But He provides a return to those who repent, And He comforts those who lack endurance.
Return to the Lord
Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 20. Turn to the Lord and forsake your sins, And pray in His presence and reduce your offense. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 21. Return to the Most High and turn away from wrongdoing, And hate an abomination exceedingly. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 22. Who will praise the Most High in Hades, As do the living and those who give thanks? Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 23. Thanksgiving ceases from a dead man since he is no longer alive; Only the living and the healthy will praise the Lord. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 24. How great the mercy of the Lord is, And His atonement for those who turn to Him. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 25. For all things are not possible for man, Because a son of man is not immortal. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 26. What shines brighter than the sun? Yet this light fails, And so will flesh and blood when it lays evil to heart. Wisdom of Sirach 17, verse 27. He examines the host of the highest heaven, But all men are earth and ashes.