|
| Instructions ...or just type it: |
Ecclesiasticus
Chapter 17
The creation and favour of God to man. An exhortation to turn to God.
 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 fired 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 act 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. |
|