The creation and favour of God to man. An exhortation to turn to God.

[1] God created man of the earth, and made him after his own image. [2] And he turned him into it again, and clothed him with strength according to himself. [3] He gave him the number of his days and time, and gave him power over all things that are upon the earth. [4] He put the fear of him upon all flesh, and he had dominion over beasts and fowls. [5] 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.

[6] He created in them the science of the spirit, he filled their heart with wisdom, and shewed them both good and evil. [7] He set his eye upon their hearts to shew them the greatness of his works: [8] 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. [9] Moreover he gave them instructions, and the law of life for an inheritance. [10] He made an everlasting covenant with them, and he shewed them his justice and judgments.

[11] 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. [12] And he gave to every one of them commandment concerning his neighbour. [13] Their ways are always before him, they are not hidden from his eyes. [14] Over every nation he set a ruler. [15] And Israel was made the manifest portion of God.

[11] "Their eye saw": Viz., when he gave the law on mount Sinai.

[16] And all their works are as the sun in the sight of God: and his eyes are continually upon their ways. [17] Their covenants were not hid by their iniquity, and all their iniquities are in the sight of God. [18] 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: [19] 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. [20] 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.

[21] Turn to the Lord, and forsake thy sins: [22] Make thy prayer before the face of the Lord, and offend less. [23] Return to the Lord, and turn away from thy injustice, and greatly hate abomination. [24] 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. [25] Go to the side of the holy age, with them that live and give praise to God.

[22] "Offend less": Minue offendicula. That is, remove sins and the occasions of sins.

[25] "Go to the side": Fly from the side of Satan and sin, and join with the holy ones, that follow God and godliness.

[26] Tarry not in the error of the ungodly, give glory before death. Praise perisheth from the dead as nothing. [27] 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. [28] How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness to them that turn to him! [29] For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal, and they are delighted with the vanity of evil. [30] 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.

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