Sirach

¹ God created man of the earth, and made him after his own image.

² And he turned him into it again, and clothed him with strength according to himself.

³ He gave him the number of his days and time, and gave him power over all things that are upon the earth.

⁴ He put the fear of him upon all flesh, and he had dominion over beasts and fowls.

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.

⁶ He created in them the science of the spirit, he filled their heart with wisdom, and shewed them both good and evil.

⁷ He set his eye upon their hearts to shew them the greatness of his works:

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.

⁹ Moreover he gave them instructions, and the law of life for an inheritance.

¹⁰ He made an everlasting covenant with them, and he shewed them his justice and judgments.

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.

¹² And he gave to every one of them commandment concerning his neighbour.

¹³ Their ways are always before him, they are not hidden from his eyes.

¹⁴ Over every nation he set a ruler.

¹⁵ And Israel was made the manifest portion of God.

¹⁶ And all their works are as the sun in the sight of God: and his eyes are continually upon their ways.

¹⁷ Their covenants were not hid by their iniquity, and all their iniquities are in the sight of God.

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:

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.

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.

²¹ Turn to the Lord, and forsake thy sins:

²² Make thy prayer before the face of the Lord, and offend less.

²³ Return to the Lord, and turn away from thy injustice, and greatly hate abomination.

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.

²⁵ Go to the side of the holy age, with them that live and give praise to God.

²⁶ Tarry not in the error of the ungodly, give glory before death. Praise perisheth from the dead as nothing.

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.

²⁸ How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness to them that turn to him!

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.

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.

³¹ He beholdeth the power of the height of heaven: and all men are earth and ashes.