16:27. He beautified their works for ever, they have neither hungered, nor laboured, and they have not ceased from their works. 16:28. Nor shall any of them straiten his neighbour at any time. 16:29. Be not thou incredulous to his word. 16:30. After this God looked upon the earth, and filled it with his goods. 16:31. The soul of every living thing hath shewn forth before the face thereof, and into it they return again. Shewn forth... Viz., the glory and power of God upon the earth. Ecclesiasticus Chapter 17 The creation and favour of God to man. An exhortation to turn to God. 17:1. God created man of the earth, and made him after his own image. 17:2. And he turned him into it again, and clothed him with strength according to himself. 17:3. He gave him the number of his days and time, and gave him power over all things that are upon the earth. 17:4. He put the fear of him upon all flesh, and he had dominion over beasts and fowls. 17:5. 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. 17:6. He created in them the science of the spirit, he fired their heart with wisdom, and shewed them both good and evil. 17:7. He set his eye upon their hearts to shew them the greatness of his works: 17:8. That they might praise the name which he hath sanctified: and glory in his wondrous act that they might declare the glorious things of his works. 17:9. Moreover he gave them instructions, and the law of life for an inheritance. 17:10. He made an everlasting covenant with them, and he shewed them his justice and judgments. 17:11. 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. Their eye saw, etc... Viz., when he gave the law on mount Sinai. 17:12. And he gave to every one of them commandment concerning his neighbour. 17:13. Their ways are always before him, they are not hidden from his eyes. 17:14. Over every nation he set a ruler. 17:15. And Israel was made the manifest portion of God. 17:16. And all their works are as the sun in the sight of God: and his eyes are continually upon their ways. 17:17. Their covenants were not hid by their iniquity, and all their iniquities are in the sight of God. 17:18. 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: 17:19. 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. 17:20. 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. 17:21. Turn to the Lord, and forsake thy sins: 17:22. Make thy prayer before the face of the Lord, and offend less.