Ben Sira 15:8-18

8 For she is far from pride, and men that are liars cannot remember her.
9 Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner, for it was not sent him from the Lord.
10 For praise shall be uttered in wisdom, and the Lord will prosper it.
11 Say not thou, "It is through the Lord that I fell away"; for thou oughtest not to do the things that He hateth.
12 Say not thou, "He hath caused me to err"; for He hath no need of the sinful man.
13 The Lord hateth all abomination, and they that fear God love it not.
14 He Himself made man from the beginning, and left him in the hand of his counsel,
15 if thou wilt keep the commandments, and perform acceptable faithfulness.
16 He hath set fire and water before thee: stretch forth thy hand unto whichever thou wilt.
17 Before man is life and death; and whichever he liketh shall be given him.
18 For the wisdom of the Lord is great, and He is mighty in power and beholdeth all things;
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.