Appeal for a Return to God

Sirach 17:19-27

19 But to the penitent he provides a way back, he encourages those who are losing hope!

20 Return to the LORD and give up sin, pray to him and make your offenses few.

21 Turn again to the Most High and away from sin, hate intensely what he loathes;

22 Who in the nether world can glorify the Most High in place of the living who offer their praise?

23 No more can the dead give praise than those who have never lived; they glorify the LORD who are alive and well.

24 How great the mercy of the LORD, his forgiveness of those who return to him!

25 The like cannot be found in men, for not immortal is any son of man.

26 Is anything brighter than the sun? Yet it can be eclipsed. How obscure then the thoughts of flesh and blood!

27 God watches over the hosts of highest heaven, while all men are dust and ashes.