Sir 17:1 The Lord created man of the earth, and
turned him into it again.
Sir 17:2 He gave them few days, and a short time, and power also over the
things therein.
Sir 17:3 He endued them with strength by themselves, and made them according
to his image,
Sir 17:4 And put the fear of man upon all flesh, and gave him dominion over
beasts and fowls.
Sir 17:5 They received the use of the five operations of the Lord, and in
the sixth place he imparted them understanding, and in the seventh speech,
an interpreter of the cogitations thereof.]
Sir 17:6 Counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, ears, and a heart, gave he them to
understand.
Sir 17:7 Withal he filled them with the knowledge of understanding, and
shewed them good and evil.
Sir 17:8 He set his eye upon their hearts, that he might shew them the
greatness of his works.
Sir 17:9 He gave them to glory in his marvellous acts for ever, that they
might declare his works with understanding.
Sir 17:10 And the elect shall praise his holy name.
Sir 17:11 Beside this he gave them knowledge, and the law of life for an
heritage.
Sir 17:12 He made an everlasting covenant with them, and shewed them his
judgments.
Sir 17:13 Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard his
glorious voice.
Sir 17:14 And he said unto them, Beware of all unrighteousness; and he gave
every man commandment concerning his neighbour.
Sir 17:15 Their ways are ever before him, and shall not be hid from his
eyes.
Sir 17:16 Every man from his youth is given to evil; neither could they make
to themselves fleshy hearts for stony.
Sir 17:17 For in the division of the nations of the whole earth he set a
ruler over every people; but Israel is the Lord's portion:
Sir 17:18 Whom, being his firstborn, he nourisheth with discipline, and
giving him the light of his love doth not forsake him.
Sir 17:19 Therefore all their works are as the sun before him, and his eyes
are continually upon their ways.
Sir 17:20 None of their unrighteous deeds are hid from him, but all their
sins are before the Lord
Sir 17:21 But the Lord being gracious and knowing his workmanship, neither
left nor forsook them, but spared them.
Sir 17:22 The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and he will keep the
good deeds of man as the apple of the eye, and give repentance to his sons
and daughters.
Sir 17:23 Afterwards he will rise up and reward them, and render their
recompence upon their heads.
Sir 17:24 But unto them that repent, he granted them return, and comforted
those that failed in patience.
Sir 17:25 Return unto the Lord, and forsake thy sins, make thy prayer before
his face, and offend less.
Sir 17:26 Turn again to the most High, and turn away from iniquity: for he
will lead thee out of darkness into the light of health, and hate thou
abomination vehemently.
Sir 17:27 Who shall praise the most High in the grave, instead of them which
live and give thanks?
Sir 17:28 Thanksgiving perisheth from the dead, as from one that is not: the
living and sound in heart shall praise the Lord.
Sir 17:29 How great is the lovingkindness of the Lord our God, and his
compassion unto such as turn unto him in holiness!
Sir 17:30 For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not
immortal.
Sir 17:31 What is brighter than the sun? yet the light thereof faileth; and
flesh and blood will imagine evil.
Sir 17:32 He vieweth the power of the height of heaven; and all men are but
earth and ashes.