1The Lord created mankind out of the earth,
and turned them back to it again.
2He gave them days by number, and a set time,
and gave them authority over the things that are on it.
3He endowed them with strength proper to them,
and made them according to his own image.
4He put the fear of man upon all flesh,
and gave him dominion over beasts and birds. 5
6He gave them counsel, tongue, eyes,
ears, and heart to have understanding.
7He filled them with the knowledge of wisdom,
and showed them good and evil.
8He set his eye upon their hearts,
to show them the majesty of his works. 9
10And they will praise the name of his holiness,
That they may declare the majesty of his works.
11He added to them knowledge,
and gave them a law of life for a heritage.
12He made an everlasting covenant with them,
and showed them his judgments.
13Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory.
Their ears heard the glory of his voice.
14He said to them, “Beware of all unrighteousness.”
So he gave them commandment, each man concerning his neighbor.
15Their ways are ever before him.
They will not be hidden from his eyes. 16
17 For every nation he appointed a ruler,
but Israel is the Lord’s portion. 18
19All their works are as clear as the sun before him.
His eyes are continually upon their ways.
20Their iniquities are not hidden from him.
All their sins are before the Lord. 21
22With him the alms of a man is as a signet.
He will keep the bounty of a man as the apple of the eye.
23Afterwards he will rise up and recompense them,
and render their recompense upon their head.
24However to those who repent he grants a return.
He comforts those who are losing patience.
25Return to the Lord, and forsake sins.
Make your prayer before his face offend less.
26Turn again to the Most High, and turn away from iniquity.
Greatly hate the abominable thing.
27Who will give praise to the Most High in Hades,
in place of those who live and return thanks?
28Thanksgiving perishes from the dead, as from one who doesn’t exist.
He who is in life and health will praise the Lord.
29How great is the mercy of the Lord,
and his forgiveness to those who turn to him!
30For all things can’t be in men,
because the son of man is not immortal.
31What is brighter than the sun? Yet even this fails.
An evil man thinks about flesh and blood.
32He looks upon the power of the height of heaven,
while all men are earth and ashes.

Notes


*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.

§17:16 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.