7. And for this reason, you have imparted your fear into our hearts, and also, so that we may call upon your name and may praise you in our captivity, for we are converted from the iniquity of our fathers, who sinned before you.
8. And, behold, we are still in our captivity on this day, where you have scattered us into disgrace, and into slander, and into sin, according to all the iniquities of our fathers, who withdrew from you, O Lord our God.
9. Listen, O Israel, to the commandments of life! Pay attention, so that you may learn prudence!
10. How is it, O Israel, that you are in the land of your enemies,
11. that you have grown old in a foreign land, that you are defiled with the dead, that you are regarded as among those who are descending into hell?
12. You have forsaken the fountain of wisdom.
13. For if you had walked in the way of God, you would certainly have lived in everlasting peace.
14. Learn where prudence is, where virtue is, where understanding is, so that you may know at the same time where long life and prosperity are, where the light of the eyes and peace are.
15. Who has discovered its place? And who has entered its treasure chamber?
16. Where are the leaders of the peoples, and those who rule over the beasts that are upon the earth,
17. who play among the birds of the air,
18. who store up treasures of silver and gold, in which men trust, and with whom there is no end to their acquiring, who work with silver and are anxious about it, and whose works are inexplicable?
19. They have been banished and have descended to hell, and others are risen up in their place.
20. The youth have seen the light and have dwelt upon the earth, yet they are ignorant of the way of instruction.
21. They have neither understood the paths of it, nor have their sons accepted it. It is far from their face.
22. It has not been heard of in the land of Canaan, nor has it been seen in Teman.
23. It is likewise with the sons of Hagar, who search for the practicality that is of the earth, the negotiators of Merran and Teman, and the storytellers, and the searchers of discretion and intelligence. Yet the way of wisdom they have not known, nor have they called to mind its paths.
24. O Israel, how great is the house of God, and how vast is the place of his possession!
25. It is great and has no end! It is exalted and immense!
26. There were those who were called giants, who existed from the beginning, of great stature, expert in war.