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