Chapter 17

  God created man of the earth, and made him after his own image.  

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  And he turned him into it again, and clothed him with strength according to himself.  

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  He gave him the number of his days and time, and gave him power over all things that are upon the earth.  

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  He put the fear of him upon all flesh, and he had dominion over beasts and fowls.  

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  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.  

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  He created in them the science of the spirit, he filled their heart with wisdom, and shewed them both good and evil.  

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  He set his eye upon their hearts to shew them the greatness of his works:  

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  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.  

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  Moreover he gave them instructions, and the law of life for an inheritance.  

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  He made an everlasting covenant with them, and he shewed them his justice and judgments.  

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  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.  

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  And he gave to every one of them commandment concerning his neighbour.  

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  Their ways are always before him, they are not hidden from his eyes.  

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  Over every nation he set a ruler.  

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  And Israel was made the manifest portion of God.  

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  And all their works are as the sun in the sight of God: and his eyes are continually upon their ways.  

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  Their covenants were not hid by their iniquity, and all their iniquities are in the sight of God.  

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  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:  

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  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.  

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  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.  

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  Turn to the Lord, and forsake thy sins:  

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  Make thy prayer before the face of the Lord, and offend less.  

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  Return to the Lord, and turn away from thy injustice, and greatly hate abomination.  

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  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.  

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  Go to the side of the holy age, with them that live and give praise to God.  

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  Tarry not in the error of the ungodly, give glory before death. Praise perisheth from the dead as nothing.  

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  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.  

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  How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness to them that turn to him I  

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  For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal, and they are delighted with the vanity of evil.  

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  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.  

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  He beholdeth the power of the height of heaven: and all men are earth and ashes.  

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