8
By the Lord's decision they were distinguished, and he appointed the different seasons and feasts;
9
some of them he exalted and hallowed, and some of them he made ordinary days.
10
All men are from the ground, and Adam was created of the dust.
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In the fulness of his knowledge the Lord distinguished them and appointed their different ways;
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some of them he blessed and exalted, and some of them he made holy and brought near to himself; but some of them he cursed and brought low, and he turned them out of their place.
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As clay in the hand of the potter -- for all his ways are as he pleases -- so men are in the hand of him who made them, to give them as he decides.
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Good is the opposite of evil, and life the opposite of death; so the sinner is the opposite of the godly.
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Look upon all the works of the Most High; they likewise are in pairs, one the opposite of the other.
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I was the last on watch; I was like one who gleans after the grape-gatherers; by the blessing of the Lord I excelled, and like a grape-gatherer I filled my wine press.
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Consider that I have not labored for myself alone, but for all who seek instruction.
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Hear me, you who are great among the people, and you leaders of the congregation, hearken.