Ben Sira 17:10-20

10 They will praise his holy name and proclaim the greatness of all he does.

11 He made knowledge available to them and gave them the Law as a source of life.

12 He made an eternal covenant with them and revealed his commands to them.

13 They saw the splendor of his majesty and heard the glory of his voice.

14 He warned them against unrighteousness and taught each person how to treat others.

15 The Lord is always aware of what people do; there is no way to hide from him.

17 He gave each nation its own ruler, but Israel is the Lord's own possession.

19 The Lord is always watching what people do; everything they do is as clear as day to him.

20 None of their sins are hidden from him; he is aware of them all.

Footnotes

• [a]. [Some manuscripts add verses 16-17a:] From childhood on they tend to be evil; their heart is like stone, and they don't seem to be able to make it more human. +V17+WHe divided the nations of the whole earth.
• [b]. [Some manuscripts add verse 18:] Israel is his first-born, whom he disciplines as he brings him up. He gives him the light of his love and never neglects him.
• [c]. [Some manuscripts add verse 21:] But the Lord is gracious and knows his creatures; so he has spared them rather than abandon them.