Ben Sira 17:1-7

1 Then the Lord formed human beings from the dust ¹ and sent each of them back to it again.

2 He gave them only a limited time to live, but he gave them authority over everything on earth.

3 He made them to be like himself, and gave them his own strength.

4 He made all other creatures afraid of them; he gave them authority over all the animals and birds.

6 He gave them their tongues, their eyes, their ears, their minds, and their consciences.

7 He filled them with knowledge and understanding ² and showed them the difference between good and evil.

Cross References

• 1. 17.1-3Genesis 1.26-28; 2.7.
• 2. 17.7Genesis 2.17.

Footnotes

• [a]. [Probable text] his; [Greek] their.
• [b]. [Some manuscripts add verse 5:] The Lord gave them the five senses, but he also gave them a sixth--intelligence, and a seventh--reason, which enables them to interpret what comes to them through the senses.