Jesus ben Sirach.
Jesus ben Sirach KWL.
Sirach 15.
11 Don’t say, “I fell away because of the Lord”: He hates that, and won’t do it.
12 Don’t say, “He tricked me”: He never needs sinful men.
13 The Lord hates every nasty thing, and those who fear him, don’t love them.
14 He made humans in the beginning, and put free will in their hands.
15 You’ll keep the commands when you want,
and do acts of faith when you please.
16 He set fire and water before you, and you’ll hold out your hand for whichever you choose.
17 Life and death are before humans, and he’ll give you whichever you please.
18 The Lord’s wisdom is so great, strong, powerful, all-seeing—
19 his eyes on those who fear him; he’ll know everything humans did.
20 And he commanded no one to be ungodly.
He doesn’t give anyone a license to sin.