17 ²⁵ Turn to the Lord and forsake your sins;
pray in his presence and lessen your offences.
17 ²⁶ Return to the Most High and turn away from iniquity,
and hate abominations intensely.
17 ²⁷ Who will sing praises to the Most High in Hades,
as do those who are alive and give thanks?
17 ²⁸ From the dead, as from one who does not exist, thanksgiving has ceased;
he who is alive and well sings the Lord's praises.
17 ²⁹ How great is the mercy of the Lord,
and his forgiveness for those who turn to him!
17 ³⁰ For all things cannot be in men,
since a son of man is not immortal.
17 ³¹ What is brighter than the sun? Yet its light fails.
So flesh and blood devise evil.
17 ³² He marshals the host of the height of heaven;
but all men are dust and ashes.