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17:1  The Lord created a human being out of earth, and he returned that human being into it again.
17:2  God gave human beings a set number of days and a fixed time, and he gave them authority over the things that are upon the earth.
17:3  God endowed them with strength like his, and he made them according to his image.
17:4  God made all living beings afraid of them, so that they might exercise dominion over the animals and birds.
17:6  God gave them the capacity to plan, a tongue and eyes, ears and a mind for thinking.
17:7  God filled them with common sense, and he showed them good things and bad.
17:8  God put awe for him in their hearts, in order to show them the greatness of his works.
17:9  So that they might tell of the magnificence of his works,
17:10  they will praise his holy name.
17:11  God placed knowledge before them, and he gave them a code for living.
17:12  God established an eternal covenant with them, and he showed them his decrees.
17:13  They saw the majesty of his glory with their own eyes, and they heard his glorious voice with their own ears.
17:14  God said to them, “Beware of every injustice,” and he gave each of them commandments concerning their neighbor.
17:15  Their ways are always before him; they won’t be hidden from his sight.
17:17  God appointed a leader for each nation, and Israel is the Lord’s responsibility.
17:19  All of their deeds are before him as plain as the sun, and his eyes are always on their ways.
17:20  Their wrongs are not hidden from him, and all their sins are exposed in the Lord’s presence.
17:22  A person’s acts of charity are like a seal with him, and he will treasure a person’s generosity like the apple of his eye.
17:23  Afterward God will rise up and repay them; he will deliver their repayment upon their heads.
17:24  However, for those who changed their hearts and minds, God granted a way back, and he encouraged those who were abandoning hope.
17:25  Turn back to the Lord and leave sin behind; offer prayers in his presence, and reduce your offense.
17:26  Return to the Most High, and turn from injustice, and hate what he detests.
17:27  Who will praise the Most High in the grave instead of the living and those who give thanks?
17:28  From the dead thanksgiving has perished, since they are no longer alive; those who are alive and healthy will praise the Lord.
17:29  How great is the Lord’s mercy! How quickly is he reconciled with those who turn back to him!
17:30  Human beings can’t do all things, because no person is immortal.
17:31  What shines brighter than the sun? Even that fails. Flesh and blood will hanker after evil.