BenSira:17

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* The Lord created man of the earth , and turned him into it again . * He gave them few days , and a short time , and power also over the things therein . * He endued them with strength by themselves , and made them according to his image , * And put the fear of man upon all flesh , and gave him dominion over beasts and fowls . * They received the use of the five operations of the Lord , and in the sixth place he imparted them understanding , and in the seventh speech , an interpreter of the cogitations thereof .] * Counsel , and a tongue , and eyes , ears , and a heart , gave he them to understand . * Withal he filled them with the knowledge of understanding , and shewed them good and evil . * He set his eye upon their hearts , that he might shew them the greatness of his works . * He gave them to glory in his marvellous acts for ever , that they might declare his works with understanding . * And the elect shall praise his holy name . * Beside this he gave them knowledge , and the law of life for an heritage . * He made an everlasting covenant with them , and shewed them his judgments . * Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory , and their ears heard his glorious voice . * And he said unto them , Beware of all unrighteousness ; and he gave every man commandment concerning his neighbour . * Their ways are ever before him , and shall not be hid from his eyes . * Every man from his youth is given to evil ; neither could they make to themselves fleshy hearts for stony . * For in the division of the nations of the whole earth he set a ruler over every people ; but Israel is the Lord 's portion : * Whom , being his firstborn , he nourisheth with discipline , and giving him the light of his love doth not forsake him . * Therefore all their works are as the sun before him , and his eyes are continually upon their ways . * None of their unrighteous deeds are hid from him , but all their sins are before the Lord * But the Lord being gracious and knowing his workmanship , neither left nor forsook them , but spared them . * The alms of a man is as a signet with him , and he will keep the good deeds of man as the apple of the eye , and give repentance to his sons and daughters . * Afterwards he will rise up and reward them , and render their recompence upon their heads . * But unto them that repent , he granted them return , and comforted those that failed in patience . * Return unto the Lord , and forsake thy sins , make thy prayer before his face , and offend less . * Turn again to the most High , and turn away from iniquity : for he will lead thee out of darkness into the light of health , and hate thou abomination vehemently . * Who shall praise the most High in the grave , instead of them which live and give thanks ? * Thanksgiving perisheth from the dead , as from one that is not : the living and sound in heart shall praise the Lord . * How great is the lovingkindness of the Lord our God , and his compassion unto such as turn unto him in holiness ! * For all things cannot be in men , because the son of man is not immortal . * What is brighter than the sun ? yet the light thereof faileth ; and flesh and blood will imagine evil . * He vieweth the power of the height of heaven ; and all men are but earth and ashes .

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