Sirach 17:1-12

Good News Translation

17 ^(A)Then the Lord formed human beings from the dust
        and sent each of them back to it again.
²     He gave them only a limited time to live,
        but he gave them authority over everything on earth.
³     He made them to be like himself,
        and gave them his^[a] own strength.
⁴     He made all other creatures afraid of them;
        he gave them authority over all the animals and birds.^[b]
6     He gave them their tongues, their eyes,
        their ears, their minds, and their consciences.
^{7     (B)}He filled them with knowledge and understanding
        and showed them the difference between good and evil.
⁸     He gave them his own insight
        to let them see the majesty of his creation.^[c]
10     They will praise his holy name
        and proclaim the greatness of all he does.
¹¹     He made knowledge available to them
        and gave them the Law as a source of life.
¹²     He made an eternal covenant with them
        and revealed his commands to them.