4. If your children have sinned against him, and he has cast them away for their transgression;
5. If you would seek unto God early, and make your supplication to the Almighty;
6. If you were pure and upright; surely now he would awake for you, and make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous.
7. Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end should greatly increase.
8. For inquire, I pray you, of the former age, and prepare yourself to the findings of their fathers:
9. (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)
10. Shall not they teach you, and tell you, and utter words out of their heart?
11. Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh? can the reeds grow without water?
12. While it is yet green, and not cut down, it withers before any other plant.
13. So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish: