Ecclesiasticus 17

1God created man of the earth, and made him after his own image.● 2And he turned him into it again, and clothed him with strength according to himself.● 3He gave him the number of his days and time, and gave him power over all things that are upon the earth.● 4He put the fear of him upon all flesh, and he had dominion over beasts and fowls.● 5He created of him a helpmate like to himself, he gave them counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, and ears, and a heart to devise: and he filled them with the knowledge of understanding.● 6He created in them the science of the spirit, he fired their heart with wisdom, and shewed them both good and evil.● 7He set his eye upon their hearts to shew them the greatness of his works:● 8That they might praise the name which he hath sanctified: and glory in his wondrous act that they might declare the glorious things of his works.● 9Moreover he gave them instructions, and the law of life for an inheritance.● 10He made an everlasting covenant with them, and he shewed them his justice and judgments.● 11And their eye saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard his glorious voice, and he said to them: Beware of all iniquity.● 12And he gave to every one of them commandment concerning his neighbour.● 13Their ways are always before him, they are not hidden from his eyes.● 14Over every nation he set a ruler.● 15And Israel was made the manifest portion of God.● 16And all their works are as the sun in the sight of God: and his eyes are continually upon their ways.● 17Their covenants were not hid by their iniquity, and all their iniquities are in the sight of God.● 18The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and shall preserve the grace of a man as the apple of the eye:● 19And afterward he shall rise up, and shall render them their reward, to every one upon their own head, and shall turn them down into the bowels of the earth.● 20But to the penitent he hath given the way of justice, and he hath strengthened them that were fainting in patience, and hath appointed to them the lot of truth.● 21Turn to the Lord, and forsake thy sins:● 22Make thy prayer before the face of the Lord, and offend less.● 23Return to the Lord, and turn away from thy injustice, and greatly hate abomination.● 24And know the justices and judgments of God, and stand firm in the lot set before thee, and in prayer to the most high God.● 25Go to the side of the holy age, with them that live and give praise to God.● 26Tarry not in the error of the ungodly, give glory before death. Praise perisheth from the dead as nothing.● 27Give thanks whilst thou art living, whilst thou art alive and in health thou shalt give thanks, and shalt praise God, and shalt glory in his mercies.● 28How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness to them that turn to him !● 29For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal, and they are delighted with the vanity of evil.● 30What is brighter than the sun; yet it shall be eclipsed. Or what is more wicked than that which flesh and blood hath invented? and this shall be reproved.● 31He beholdeth the power of the height of heaven: and all men are earth and ashes.●