Return unto the Lord, and forsake thy sins, make thy prayer before his face, and offend less. Turn again to the most High, and turn away from iniquity: for he will lead thee out of darkness into the light of health, and hate thou abomination vehemently. Who shall praise the most High in the grave, instead of them which live and give thanks? Thanksgiving perisheth from the dead, as from one that is not: the living and sound in heart shall praise the Lord. How great is the loving-kindness of the Lord our God, and his compassion unto such as turn unto him in holiness! For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal. What is brighter than the sun? yet the light thereof faileth: and flesh and blood will imagine evil. He vieweth the power of the height of heaven; and all men are but earth and ashes.
Ecclesiasticus 17:25-32