Sirach 15:11-20

Common English Bible

¹¹ Don’t say, “I fell away because of the Lord.”
    What the Lord hates, he won’t do.
¹² Don’t say, “The Lord made me go astray.”
    He has no use for sinful people.
¹³ The Lord has hated every foul thing,
    and those who fear him
    have no love for such things.
¹⁴ He created humanity at the beginning,
    and he left them to the power
    of their choices.
¹⁵ If you choose to,
you will keep the commandments,
    and keep faith out of goodwill.^[a]
16 He has put fire and water before you;
    you can stretch out your hand
    for whichever you choose.
¹⁷ Life and death are in front
of human beings;
    and they will be granted
    whichever they please,
¹⁸         because the wisdom
        of the Lord is great;
        he’s mighty in authority,
        he sees everything,
¹⁹ his eyes are upon those who fear him,
        and he knows every human action.
²⁰ He doesn’t command anyone
to be ungodly,
    and he doesn’t give anyone
    a license to sin.