First Reading: Sirach 17:1-15

¹ The Lord created man out of earth, and turned him back to it again.
² He gave to men few days, a limited time, but granted them authority over the things upon the earth.
³ He endowed them with strength like his own, and made them in his own image.
⁴ He placed the fear of them in all living beings, and granted them dominion over beasts and birds.
⁶ He made for them tongue and eyes; he gave them ears and a mind for thinking.
⁷ He filled them with knowledge and understanding, and showed them good and evil.
⁸ He set his eye upon their hearts to show them the majesty of his works.
¹⁰ And they will praise his holy name, to proclaim the grandeur of his works.
¹¹ He bestowed knowledge upon them, and allotted to them the law of life.
¹² He established with them an eternal covenant, and showed them his judgments.
¹³ Their eyes saw his glorious majesty, and their ears heard the glory of his voice.
¹⁴ And he said to them, “Beware of all unrighteousness.” And he gave commandment to each of them concerning his neighbor.
¹⁵ Their ways are always before him, they will not be hid from his eyes.