noris He servedby humanhands,as though He neededanything,since He Himselfgivesto all[people] lifeand breathand all things;
Then the LORDGodformedmanof dustfrom the ground,and breathedinto his nostrilsthe breathof life;and manbecamea livingbeing.
In whosehandis the lifeof everylivingthing,And the breathof allmankind?
"Can a vigorous manbe of useto God,Ora wiseman be usefulto himself?
For as longas lifeis in me, And the breathof Godis in my nostrils,
"The Spiritof Godhas mademe, And the breathof the Almightygivesme life.
"IfHe should determineto do so, If He should gatherto Himself His spiritand His breath,
I saidto the LORD,"You are my Lord;I have nogoodbesidesYou."
ThussaysGodthe LORD,Who createdthe heavensand stretchedthem out, Who spreadout the earthand its offspring,Who givesbreathto the peopleon it And spiritto those who walkin it,
"For I will not contendforever,Norwill I alwaysbe angry;For the spiritwould growfaintbeforeMe, And the breath[of those whom] I have made.
But KingZedekiahsworeto Jeremiahin secretsaying,"As the LORDlives,whomadethislifefor us, surelyI will not putyou to deathnorwill I giveyou over to the handof thesemenwhoare seekingyour life."
The burdenof the wordof the LORDconcerningIsrael.[Thus] declaresthe LORDwho stretchesout the heavens,laysthe foundationof the earth,and formsthe spiritof manwithinhim,
But they fellon their facesand said,"O God,Godof the spiritsof allflesh,when onemansins,will You be angrywith the entirecongregation?"
"May the LORD,the Godof the spiritsof allflesh,appointa manoverthe congregation,
sothat you may be sonsof your Fatherwhois in heaven;for He causesHis sunto riseon [the] eviland [the] good,and sends rainon [the] righteousand [the] unrighteous.
"But goand learnwhatthis means:I DESIRECOMPASSION,AND NOT SACRIFICE,'for I did not cometo callthe righteous,but sinners."
and yetHe did not leaveHimselfwithout witness,in that He did goodand gaveyou rainsfrom heavenand fruitfulseasons,satisfyingyour heartswith foodand gladness."
for in Him we liveand moveand exist,as evensomeof your own poetshave said,'For we alsoare His children.'
OrWHOHAS FIRST GIVENTO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACKTO HIM AGAIN?
by lovingthe LORDyour God,by obeyingHis voice,and by holdingfastto Him; for thisis your lifeand the lengthof your days,that you may livein the landwhichthe LORDsworeto your fathers,to Abraham,Isaac,and Jacob,to givethem."
Instructthosewho are richin thispresentworldnot to be conceitedorto fix their hopeon the uncertaintyof riches,but on God,who richlysuppliesus with all thingsto enjoy.
