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17:1  The Lord created man out of earth, and turned him back to it again.
17:2  He gave to men few days, a limited time, but granted them authority over the things upon the earth.
17:3  He endowed them with strength like his own, and made them in his own image.
17:4  He placed the fear of them in all living beings, and granted them dominion over beasts and birds.
17:6  He made for them tongue and eyes; he gave them ears and a mind for thinking.
17:7  He filled them with knowledge and understanding, and showed them good and evil.
17:8  He set his eye upon their hearts to show them the majesty of his works.
17:10  And they will praise his holy name, to proclaim the grandeur of his works.
17:11  He bestowed knowledge upon them, and allotted to them the law of life.
17:12  He established with them an eternal covenant, and showed them his judgments.
17:13  Their eyes saw his glorious majesty, and their ears heard the glory of his voice.
17:14  And he said to them, “Beware of all unrighteousness.” And he gave commandment to each of them concerning his neighbor.
17:15  Their ways are always before him, they will not be hid from his eyes.
17:17  He appointed a ruler for every nation, but Israel is the Lord’s own portion.
17:19  All their works are as the sun before him, and his eyes are continually upon their ways.
17:20  Their iniquities are not hidden from him, and all their sins are before the Lord.
17:22  A man’s almsgiving is like a signet with the Lord, and he will keep a person’s kindness like the apple of his eye.
17:23  Afterward he will arise and requite them, and he will bring their recompense on their heads.
17:24  Yet to those who repent he grants a return, and he encourages those whose endurance is failing.
17:25  Turn to the Lord and forsake your sins; pray in his presence and lessen your offenses.
17:26  Return to the Most High and turn away from iniquity, and hate abominations intensely.
17:27  Who will sing praises to the Most High in Hades, as do those who are alive and give thanks?
17:28  From the dead, as from one who does not exist, thanksgiving has ceased; he who is alive and well sings the Lord’s praises.
17:29  How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness for those who turn to him!
17:30  For all things cannot be in men, since a son of man is not immortal.
17:31  What is brighter than the sun? Yet its light fails. So flesh and blood devise evil.