1The Lord created man out of earth,

and turned him back to it again.

2He gave to men17.2 Gk them few days, a limited time,

but granted them authority over the things upon the earth.17.2 Gk it

3He endowed them with strength like his own,17.3 Cn: Gk proper to them

and made them in his own image.

4He placed the fear of them17.4 Syr: Gk him in all living beings,

and granted them dominion over beasts and birds.17.4 Other authorities add 5 They obtained the use of the five operations of the Lord; as sixth he distributed to them the gift of mind, and as seventh reason, the interpreter of his operations.

6He made for them17.6 Syr: Gk Inclination and tongue and eyes;

he gave them ears and a mind for thinking.

7He filled them with knowledge and understanding,

and showed them good and evil.

8He set his eye upon their hearts

to show them the majesty of his works.17.8 Other authorities add 9 and he gave them to boast of his marvels for ever

10And they will praise his holy name,

to proclaim the grandeur of his works.

11He bestowed knowledge upon them

and allotted to them the law of life.

12He established with them an eternal covenant,

and showed them his judgments.

13Their eyes saw his glorious majesty,

and their ears heard the glory of his voice.

14And he said to them, “Beware of all unrighteousness.”17.14 Or every unrighteous man

And he gave commandment to each of them concerning his neighbour.

15Their ways are always before him,

they will not be hid from his eyes.17.15 Other authorities add 16 Their ways from youth tend toward evil, and they are unable to make for themselves hearts of flesh in place of their stony hearts. 17 For in the division of the nations of the whole earth

17He appointed a ruler for every nation,

but Israel is the Lord's own portion.17.17 Other authorities add 18 whom, being his first-born, he brings up with discipline, and allotting to him the light of his love, he does not neglect him.

19All their works are as the sun before him,

and his eyes are continually upon their ways.

20Their iniquities are not hidden from him,

and all their sins are before the Lord.17.20 Other authorities add 21 But the Lord, who is gracious and knows his creatures, has neither left nor abandoned them, but spared them.

22A man's almsgiving is like a signet with the Lord,17.22 Gk him

and he will keep a person's kindness like the apple of his eye.

23Afterward he will arise and requite them,

and he will bring their recompense on their heads.

24Yet to those who repent he grants a return,

and he encourages those whose endurance is failing.

25Turn to the Lord and forsake your sins;

pray in his presence and lessen your offences.

26Return to the Most High and turn away from iniquity,17.26 Other authorities add for he will lead you out of darkness to the light of health

and hate abominations intensely.

27Who will sing praises to the Most High in Hades,

as do those who are alive and give thanks?

28From the dead, as from one who does not exist, thanksgiving has ceased;

he who is alive and well sings the Lord's praises.

29How great is the mercy of the Lord,

and his forgiveness for those who turn to him!

30For all things cannot be in men,17.30 The Greek text of this line is uncertain

since a son of man is not immortal.

31What is brighter than the sun? Yet its light fails.17.31 Or suffers eclipse

So flesh and blood devise evil.

32He marshals the host of the height of heaven;

but all men are dust and ashes.