1 | God created man of the earth, and made him after his own image. |
2 | And he turned him into it again, and clothed him with strength according to himself. |
3 | He gave him the number of his days and time, and gave him power over all things that are upon the earth. |
4 | He put the fear of him upon all flesh, and he had dominion over beasts and fowls. |
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. |
6 | He created in them the science of the spirit, he filled their heart with wisdom, and shewed them both good and evil. |
7 | He set his eye upon their hearts to shew them the greatness of his works: |
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. |
9 | Moreover he gave them instructions, and the law of life for an inheritance. |
10 | He made an everlasting covenant with them, and he shewed them his justice and judgments. |
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. |
12 | And he gave to every one of them commandment concerning his neighbour. |
13 | Their ways are always before him, they are not hidden from his eyes. |
14 | Over every nation he set a ruler. |
15 | And Israel was made the manifest portion of God. |
16 | And all their works are as the sun in the sight of God: and his eyes are continually upon their ways. |
17 | Their covenants were not hid by their iniquity, and all their iniquities are in the sight of God. |
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: |
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. |
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. |
21 | Turn to the Lord, and forsake thy sins: |
22 | Make thy prayer before the face of the Lord, and offend less. |
23 | Return to the Lord, and turn away from thy injustice, and greatly hate abomination. |
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. |
25 | Go to the side of the holy age, with them that live and give praise to God. |
26 | Tarry not in the error of the ungodly, give glory before death. Praise perisheth from the dead as nothing. |
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. |
28 | How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness to them that turn to him! |
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. |
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. |
31 | He beholdeth the power of the height of heaven: and all men are earth and ashes. |