> [[sirach-16|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-18|Next →]] --- # Sirach, Chapter 17 ## Chapter 17 ### Creation of Human Beings 1 The Lord created human beings from the earth, ^sirach-17-1 and makes them return to earth again. 2 A limited number of days he gave them, ^sirach-17-2 but granted them authority over everything on earth. 3 He endowed them with strength like his own, ^sirach-17-3 and made them in his image. 4 He put fear of them in all flesh, ^sirach-17-4 and gave them dominion over beasts and birds. 6 Discernment, tongues, and eyes, ^sirach-17-6 ears, and a mind for thinking he gave them. 7 With knowledge and understanding he filled them; ^sirach-17-7 good and evil he showed them. 8 He put fear of him into their hearts ^sirach-17-8 to show them the grandeur of his works, 9 That they might describe the wonders of his deeds ^sirach-17-9 10 and praise his holy name. ^sirach-17-10 11 He set before them knowledge, ^sirach-17-11 and allotted to them the law of life. 12 An everlasting covenant he made with them, ^sirach-17-12 and his commandments he revealed to them. 13 His majestic glory their eyes beheld, ^sirach-17-13 his glorious voice their ears heard. 14 He said to them, “Avoid all evil”; ^sirach-17-14 to each of them he gave precepts about their neighbor. 15 Their ways are ever known to him, ^sirach-17-15 they cannot be hidden from his eyes. 17 Over every nation he appointed a ruler, ^sirach-17-17 but Israel is the Lord’s own portion. 19 All their works are clear as the sun to him, ^sirach-17-19 and his eyes are ever upon their ways. 20 Their iniquities cannot be hidden from him; ^sirach-17-20 all their sins are before the Lord. 22 Human goodness is like a signet ring with God, ^sirach-17-22 and virtue he keeps like the apple of his eye. 23 Later he will rise up and repay them, ^sirach-17-23 requiting each one as they deserve. ### Appeal for a Return to God 24 But to the penitent he provides a way back ^sirach-17-24 and encourages those who are losing hope! 25 Turn back to the Lord and give up your sins, ^sirach-17-25 pray before him and make your offenses few. 26 Turn again to the Most High and away from iniquity, ^sirach-17-26 and hate intensely what he loathes. 27 Who in Sheol can glorify the Most High ^sirach-17-27 in place of the living who offer their praise? 28 The dead can no more give praise than those who have never lived; ^sirach-17-28 they who are alive and well glorify the Lord. 29 How great is the mercy of the Lord, ^sirach-17-29 and his forgiveness for those who return to him! 30 For not everything is within human reach, ^sirach-17-30 since human beings are not immortal. 31 Is anything brighter than the sun? Yet it can be eclipsed. ^sirach-17-31 How worthless then the thoughts of flesh and blood! 32 God holds accountable the hosts of highest heaven, ^sirach-17-32 while all mortals are dust and ashes. † (17:4) Other ancient texts read as v. 5: They received the use of the Lord’s five faculties; of mind, the sixth, he granted them a share, as also of speech, the seventh, the interpreter of his actions. \* (17:12) An everlasting covenant…his commandments: God made several covenants, e.g., [Gn 9:8] – [17]; [15:17] – [21]; [17:1] – [22], entered into with humankind, especially on Mount Sinai, where the people saw God’s glory and heard his voice (v. [13]; cf. ([[exodus-19|Ex 19]]:16] – [24:18]). † (17:15) Other ancient texts read as v. 16: Their ways are directed toward evils from their youth, and they are unable to make their hearts flesh rather than stone. \* (17:17) Ruler: this may refer to civil officials or to heavenly beings placed over nations as guardians; see note on [Dt 32:8], and the cross-references. † (17:17) Other ancient texts read as v. 18: Israel, as his firstborn, he cares for with chastisement; the light of his love he shares with him without neglect. † (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. [[ezekiel-18|Ez 18]]:23, [30] – [32]; [33:11] – [16]. See note on ([[psalm-06|Ps 6]]:6]. \* (17:27] – [28) True life consists in praise of God; this is not possible in Sheol. \* (17:31) Worthless: cf. [Gn 6:5]. Though moral fault is not excluded, the thought here is the inability to understand the designs of God. Cf. ([[wisdom-09|Wis 9]]:14] – [18]. a. (17:1) [Gn 2:7]; [3:19]. b. (17:2] – [4) [Gn 1:26] – [28]; ([[psalm-08|Ps 8]]:4] – [9]. c. (17:17) ([[exodus-19|Ex 19]]:5]; [Dt 4:19] – [20]; [32:8] – [9]; [Dn 10:13] – [21]; [12:1]. d. (17:23) ([[psalm-07|Ps 7]]:17]; [Jl 4:4], [7]; [Jer 23:19]; [[ezekiel-22|Ez 22]]:31. e. (17:27] – [28) ([[psalm-06|Ps 6]]:6]; [88:4] – [7]; [115:17]; [Is 38:18]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[sirach-16|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-18|Next →]]