Sirach 15:15-20
Good News Translation
15 If you want to, you can keep the Lord's commands. You can decide whether you will be loyal to him or not. 16 He has placed fire and water before you; reach out and take whichever you want. 17 You have a choice between life and death; you will get whichever you choose. 18 The Lord's wisdom and power are great and he sees everything. 19 He is aware of everything a person does, and he takes care of those who fear him. 20 He has never commanded anyone to be wicked or given anyone permission to sin.
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Sirach 15:15-20
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
15 If you choose, you can keep the commandments,
and to act faithfully is a matter of your choice.
16 He has placed before you fire and water;
stretch out your hand for whichever you choose.
17 Before each person are life and death,
and whichever one chooses will be given.(A)
18 For great is the wisdom of the Lord;
he is mighty in power and sees everything;(B)
19 his eyes are on those who fear him,
and he knows every human action.(C)
20 He has not commanded anyone to be ungodly,
and he has not given anyone permission to sin.(D)
Sirach 15:15-20
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
15 He added his commandments and precepts.
16 If thou wilt keep the commandments and perform acceptable fidelity for ever, they shall preserve thee.
17 He hath set water and fire before thee: stretch forth thy hand to which thou wilt.
18 Before man is life and death, good and evil, that which he shall choose shall be given him:
19 For the wisdom of God is great, and he is strong in power, seeing all men without ceasing.
20 The eyes of the Lord are towards them that fear him, and he knoweth all the work of man.
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Ben Sira 15:15-20
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
15 If you choose, you can keep the commandments;
loyalty is doing the will of God.
16 Set before you are fire and water;
to whatever you choose, stretch out your hand.
17 Before everyone are life and death,
whichever they choose will be given them.(A)
18 Immense is the wisdom of the Lord;
mighty in power, he sees all things.
19 The eyes of God behold his works,
and he understands every human deed.(B)
20 He never commands anyone to sin,
nor shows leniency toward deceivers.[a]
Footnotes
- 15:20 Deceivers: those who hold the Lord responsible for their sins.
Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. For more information about GNT, visit www.bibles.com and www.gnt.bible.
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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