17
1 The Lord created man of the earth,
And turned him back unto it again.
2 He gave them days by number, and a set time,
And gave them authority over the things that are thereon.
3 He endued them with strength proper to them;
And made them according to his own image.
4 He put the fear of * man upon all flesh,
And gave him to have dominion over beasts and fowls. 5 †
6 Counsel, and tongue, and eyes,
Ears, and heart, gave he them to understand withal.
7 He filled them with the knowledge of wisdom,
And shewed them good and evil.
8 He set his eye upon their hearts,
To shew them the majesty of his works. 9 ‡
10 And they shall praise the name of his holiness,
§ That they may declare the majesty of his works.
11 He added unto them knowledge,
And gave them a law of life for a heritage.
12 He made an everlasting covenant with them,
And shewed them his judgements.
13 Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory;
And their ear heard the glory of ** his voice.
14 And he said unto them, Beware of all unrighteousness;
And he gave them commandment, each man concerning his neighbour.
15 Their ways are ever before him;
They shall not be hid from his eyes. 16 ††
17 ‡‡ For every nation he appointed a ruler;
And Israel is the Lord’s portion. 18 §§
19 All their works are as the sun before him;
And his eyes are continually upon their ways.
20 Their iniquities are not hid from him;
And all their sins are before the Lord. 21 ***
22 With him the alms of a man is as a signet;
And he will keep the bounty of a man as the apple of the eye. †††
23 Afterwards he will rise up and recompense them,
And render their recompense upon their head.
24 Howbeit unto them that repent he granteth a return;
And he comforteth them that are losing patience.
25 Return unto the Lord, and forsake sins:
Make thy prayer before his face, and lessen the offence.
26 Turn again to the Most High, and turn away from iniquity; ‡‡‡
And greatly hate the abominable thing.
27 Who shall give praise to the Most High in §§§ the grave,
Instead of them which live and return thanks?
28 Thanksgiving perisheth from the dead, as from one that is not:
He that is in life and health shall praise the Lord.
29 How great is the mercy of the Lord,
And his forgiveness unto them that turn unto him!
30 For all things cannot be in men,
Because the son of man is not immortal.
31 What is brighter than the sun? yet this faileth:
And an evil man will think on flesh and blood.
32 He looketh upon the power of the height of heaven:
And all men are earth and ashes.
* 17:4 Gr. him. † 17:5 Verse 5 is omitted by the best authorities. ‡ 17:9 Verse 9 is omitted by the best authorities. § 17:10 This line is added by the best authorities. ** 17:13 Some ancient authorities read their. †† 17:16 Verses 16, 18, and 21 are omitted by the best authorities. ‡‡ 17:17 The preceding part of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. §§ 17:18 Verses 16, 18, and 21 are omitted by the best authorities. *** 17:21 Verses 16, 18, and 21 are omitted by the best authorities. ††† 17:22 The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. ‡‡‡ 17:26 A line is here omitted by the best authorities. §§§ 17:27 Gr. Hades.