17:1
The Lord fashioned human beings from the earth, to consign them back to it.
17:2
He gave them so many days and so much time, he gave them authority over everything on earth.
17:3
He clothed them in strength, like himself, and made them in his own image.
17:4
He filled all living things with dread of human beings, making them masters over beasts and birds.
17:5
17:6
He made them a tongue, eyes and ears, and gave them a heart to think with.
17:7
He filled them with knowledge and intelligence, and showed them what was good and what evil.
17:8
He put his own light in their hearts to show them the magnificence of his works,
17:9
17:10
so that they would praise his holy name as they told of his magnificent works.
17:11
He set knowledge before them, he endowed them with the law of life.
17:12
He established an eternal covenant with them, and revealed his judgements to them.
17:13
Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard the glory of his voice.
17:14
He said to them, 'Beware of all wrong-doing'; he gave each a commandment concerning his neighbour.
17:15
Their ways are always under his eye, they cannot be hidden from his sight.
17:16
17:17
Over each nation he has set a governor, but Israel is the Lord's own portion.
17:18
17:19
Their actions are all as plain as the sun to him, and his eyes rest constantly on their conduct.
17:20
Their iniquities are not hidden from him, all their sins are before the Lord.
17:21
17:22
Almsgiving is like a signet ring to him, he cherishes generosity like the pupil of an eye.
17:23
One day he will rise and reward them, he will repay their deserts on their own heads.
17:24
But to those who repent he permits return, and he encourages those who have lost hope.
17:25
Return to the Lord and renounce your sins, plead before his face, stop offending him.
17:26
Come back to the Most High, turn away from iniquity and hold all that is foul in abhorrence.
17:27
Who is going to praise the Most High in Sheol if we do not glorify him while we are alive?
17:28
The dead can praise no more than those who do not exist, only those with life and health can praise the Lord.
17:29
How great is the mercy of the Lord, his pardon for those who turn to him!
17:30
For we cannot have everything, human beings are not immortal.
17:31
What is brighter than the sun? And yet it fades. Flesh and blood think of nothing but evil.
17:32
He surveys the armies of the lofty sky, and all of us are only dust and ashes.
Previous
Next