16. The counsel of the wood was in vain, for the fire came and consumed it:
17. likewise also the counsel of the waves of the sea, for the sand stood up and stopped them.
18. If you were judge now between these two, whom would you justify, or whom condemn?
19. I answered and said, it is a foolish counsel that they both have taken, for the ground is given to the wood, and the place of the sea is given to bear his waves.
20. Then answered he me, and said, You have given a right judgement, and why judge you not in your own case?
21. For like as the ground is given to the wood, and the sea to his waves, even so they that dwell upon the earth may understand nothing but that which is upon the earth: and he only that dwells above the heavens may understand the things that are above the height of the heavens.
22. Then answered I and said, I beseech you, O Lord, wherefore is the power of understanding given to me?
23. For it was not in my mind to be curious of the ways above, but of such things as pass by us daily; because Israel is given up as a reproach to the heathen, and the people whom you have loved is given over to ungodly nations, and the law of our forefathers is made of none effect, and the written covenants are nowhere regarded,
24. and we pass away out of the world as grasshoppers, and our life is as a vapor, neither are we worthy to obtain mercy.
25. What will he then do for his name whereby we are called? Of these things have I asked.
26. Then he answered me, and said, if you be alive you shall see, and if you live long, you shall marvel; for the world hastens fast to pass away.
27. For it is not able to bear the things that are promised to the righteous in the times to come: for this world is full of sadness and infirmities.
28. For the evil whereof you asked me is sown, but the gathering thereof is not yet come.
29. If therefore that which is sown be not reaped, and if the place where the evil is sown pass not away, there can’t come the field where the good is sown.
30. For a grain of evil seed was sown in the heart of Adam from the beginning, and how much wickedness has it brought forth to this time! and how much shall it yet bring forth until the time of threshing come!
31. Ponder now by yourself, how great fruit of wickedness a grain of evil seed has brought forth.