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Between 5 to 7 billion Bibles have been published. ]]
The [[Fall of man]] is the Judeo-[[Christianity|Christian]] [[theology|theological]] concept that mankind and the [[universe]] existed in a perfect and ideal state prior to a 'fall' triggered by the actions of [[Adam]]. In this state, [[death]] and [[suffering]] did not exist - Adam and Eve were, for practical purposes, immortal - as were all animals. Predation did not occur - animals that are now carnivorous existed solely on a diet of plants.
[[Saint Paul]] wrote: "And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, [[Knowledge|knowing]] that affliction produces endurance, and endurance produces [[character]], and character produces [[hope]], and hope does not put us to shame, because [[God]]’s [[love]] has been poured into our hearts through the [[Holy Spirit]] that has been given to us." - Romans 5: 3-4 (NRSV)