Sirach 17:20-24
Good News Translation
20 None of their sins are hidden from him; he is aware of them all.[a] 22 When we give to the poor, the Lord considers it as precious as a valuable ring. Human kindness is as precious to him as life itself. 23 Later he will judge the wicked and punish them; they will get what they deserve. 24 But the Lord will allow those who repent to return to him. He always gives encouragement to those who are losing hope.
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- Sirach 17:20 Some manuscripts add verse 21: But the Lord is gracious and knows his creatures; so he has spared them rather than abandon them.
Sirach 17:20-24
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
20 Their iniquities are not hidden from him,
and all their sins are before the Lord.[a]
22 One’s almsgiving is like a signet ring with the Lord,[b]
and he will keep a person’s kindness like the apple of his eye.[c](A)
23 Afterward he will rise up and repay them,
and he will bring their recompense on their heads.(B)
24 Yet to those who repent he grants a return,
and he encourages those who are losing hope.(C)
Ben Sira 17:20-24
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
20 Their iniquities cannot be hidden from him;
all their sins are before the Lord.[a]
22 Human goodness is like a signet ring with God,
and virtue he keeps like the apple of his eye.
23 Later he will rise up and repay them,
requiting each one as they deserve.(A)
Appeal for a Return to God[b]
24 But to the penitent he provides a way back
and encourages those who are losing hope!
Footnotes
- 17:20
Other ancient texts read as v. 21:
But the Lord, being good and knowing how they are formed,
neither neglected them nor ceased to spare them.
- 17:24–32 Ben Sira opens this poem with a prophetic summons to repent, urging sinners to give up their sins and to pray for forgiveness (vv. 24–26, 29). Ben Sira reflects the belief of his day that there was no life after death (vv. 27–28, 30; see note on 11:26–28). Cf. Ez 18:23, 30–32; 33:11–16. See note on Ps 6:6.
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New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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