1. Do not yearn for worthless children,or rejoice in wicked offspring.
2. Even if they be many, do not rejoice in themif they do not have fear of the Lord.
3. Do not count on long life for them,or have any hope for their future.For one can be better than a thousand;rather die childless than have impious children!
4. Through one wise person a city can be peopled;but through a clan of rebels it becomes desolate.
5. Many such things my eye has seen,and even more than these my ear has heard.
6. Against a sinful band fire is kindled,upon a godless people wrath blazes.
7. He did not forgive the princes of oldwho rebelled long ago in their might.
8. He did not spare the neighbors of Lot, abominable in their pride.
9. He did not spare the doomed people,dispossessed because of their sin;
10. Nor the six hundred thousand foot soldiers, sent to their graves for the arrogance of their hearts.
11. Had there been but one stiff-necked person,it would be a wonder had he gone unpunished.For mercy and anger alike are with him;he remits and forgives, but also pours out wrath.
12. Great as his mercy is his punishment;he judges people, each according to their deeds.
13. Criminals do not escape with their plunder;the hope of the righteous, God never leaves unfulfilled.
14. Whoever does good has a reward;each receives according to their deeds.
17. Do not say: “I am hidden from God;and on high who remembers me?Among so many people I am unknown;what am I in the world of spirits?
18. Look, the heavens and the highest heavens,the abyss and the earth tremble at his visitation.
19. The roots of the mountains and the earth’s foundations—at his mere glance they quiver and quake.