✠ The Douay-Rheims Bible
✠ Sirach 17
Chapters
SIR 17:1 God created man of the earth, and made him after his own image.
SIR 17:2 And he turned him into it again, and clothed him with strength according to himself.
SIR 17:3 He gave him the number of his days and time, and gave him power over all things that are upon the earth.
SIR 17:4 He put the fear of him upon all flesh, and he had dominion over beasts and fowls.
SIR 17:5 He created of him a helpmate like to himself: he gave them counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, and ears, and a heart to devise: and he filled them with the knowledge of understanding.
SIR 17:6 He created in them the science of the spirit, he filled their heart with wisdom, and shewed them both good and evil.
SIR 17:7 He set his eye upon their hearts to shew them the greatness of his works:
SIR 17:8 That they might praise the name which he hath sanctified: and glory in his wondrous acts, that they might declare the glorious things of his works.
SIR 17:9 Moreover he gave them instructions, and the law of life for an inheritance.
SIR 17:10 He made an everlasting covenant with them, and he shewed them his justice and judgments.
SIR 17:11 And their eye saw the majesty of his glory. and their ears heard his glorious voice, and he said to them: Beware of all iniquity.
SIR 17:12 And he gave to every one of them commandment concerning his neighbour.
SIR 17:13 Their ways are always before him, they are not hidden from his eyes.
SIR 17:14 Over every nation he set a ruler.
SIR 17:15 And Israel was made the manifest portion of God.
SIR 17:16 And all their works are as the sun in the sight of God: and his eyes are continually upon their ways.
SIR 17:17 Their covenants were not hid by their iniquity, and all their iniquities are in the sight of God.
SIR 17:18 The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and shall preserve the grace of a man as the apple of the eye:
SIR 17:19 And afterward he shall rise up, and shall render them their reward, to every one upon their own head, and shall turn them down into the bowels of the earth.
SIR 17:20 But to the penitent he hath given the way of justice, and he hath strengthened them that were fainting in patience, and hath appointed to them the lot of truth.
SIR 17:21 Turn to the Lord, and forsake thy sins:
SIR 17:22 Make thy prayer before the face of the Lord, and offend less.
SIR 17:23 Return to the Lord, and turn away from thy injustice, and greatly hate abomination.
SIR 17:24 And know the justices and judgments of God, and stand firm in the lot set before thee, and in prayer to the most high God.
SIR 17:25 Go to the side of the holy age, with them that live and give praise to God.
SIR 17:26 Tarry not in the error of the ungodly, give glory before death. Praise perisheth from the dead as nothing.
SIR 17:27 Give thanks whilst thou art living, whilst thou art alive and in health thou shalt give thanks, and shalt praise God, and shalt glory in his mercies.
SIR 17:28 How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness to them that turn to him I
SIR 17:29 For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal, and they are delighted with the vanity of evil.
SIR 17:30 What is brighter than the sun; yet it shall be eclipsed. Or what is more wicked than that which flesh and blood hath invented? and this shall be reproved.