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