Sirach 17:1-24

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

17 The Lord created humans out of earth
    and makes them return to it again.^(A)
2 He gave them a fixed number of days
    but granted them authority over everything on the earth.^[a](B)
3 He endowed them with strength like his own^[b]
    and made them in his own image.^(C)
4 He put the fear of them^[c] in all living beings
    and gave them dominion over beasts and birds.^[d](D)
6 Discretion and tongue and eyes,
    ears and a mind for thinking he gave them.
⁷ He filled them with knowledge and understanding
    and showed them good and evil.^(E)
8 He put the fear of him into^[e] their hearts
    to show them the majesty of his works.^[f]
10 And they will praise his holy name,^(F)
9     to proclaim the grandeur of his works.
¹¹ He bestowed knowledge upon them
    and allotted to them the law of life.^[g](G)
12 He established with them an eternal covenant
    and revealed to them his decrees.^(H)
13 Their eyes saw his glorious majesty,
    and their ears heard the glory of his voice.^(I)
14 He said to them, “Beware of all iniquity.”
    And he gave commandment to each of them concerning the neighbor.^(J)
15 Their ways are always before him;
    they will not be hidden from his eyes.^[h](K)
17 He appointed a ruler for every nation,
    but Israel is the Lord’s own portion.^[i](L)
19 All their works are as the sun before him,
    and his eyes are ever upon their ways.^(M)
20 Their iniquities are not hidden from him,
    and all their sins are before the Lord.^[j]
22 One’s almsgiving is like a signet ring with the Lord,^[k]
    and he will keep a person’s kindness like the apple of his eye.^[l](N)
23 Afterward he will rise up and repay them,
    and he will bring their recompense on their heads.^(O)
24 Yet to those who repent he grants a return,
    and he encourages those who are losing hope.^(P)