| 1 Desire not a brood of worthless children, nor rejoice in wicked offspring. |
| 2 Many though they be, exult not in them if they have not the fear of the LORD. |
| 3 Count not on their length of life, have no hope in their future. For one can be better than a thousand; rather die childless than have godless children! |
| 4 Through one wise man can a city be peopled; through a clan of rebels it becomes desolate. |
| 5 Many such things has my eye seen, even more than these has my ear heard. |
| 6 Against a sinful band fire is enkindled, upon a godless people wrath flames out. |
| 7 He forgave not the leaders of old who rebelled long ago in their might; |
| 8 He spared not the neighbors of Lot whom he detested for their pride; |
| 9 Nor did he spare the doomed people who were uprooted because of their sin; |
| 10 Nor the six hundred thousand foot soldiers who perished for the impiety of their hearts. |
| 11 And had there been but one stiffnecked man, it were a wonder had he gone unpunished. For mercy and anger alike are with him who remits and forgives, though on the wicked alights his wrath. |
| 12 Great as his mercy is his punishment; he judges men, each according to his deeds. |
| 13 A criminal does not escape with his plunder; a just man's hope God does not leave unfulfilled. |
| 14 Whoever does good has his reward, which each receives according to his deeds. |
| 15 Say not: "I am hidden from God; in heaven who remembers me? Among so many people I cannot be known; what am I in the world of spirits? |
| 16 Behold, the heavens, the heaven of heavens, the earth and the abyss tremble at his visitation; |
| 17 The roots of the mountains, the earth's foundations, at his mere glance, quiver and quake. |
| 18 Of me, therefore, he will take no thought; with my ways who will concern himself? |
| 19 If I sin, no eye will see me; if all in secret I am disloyal, who is to know? |
| 20 Who tells him of just deeds and what could I expect for doing my duty?" |
| 21 Such are the thoughts of senseless men, which only the foolish knave will think. |
| 22 Hearken to me, my son, take my advice, apply your mind to my words, |
| 23 While I propose measured wisdom, and impart accurate knowledge. |
| 24 When at the first God created his works and, as he made them, assigned their tasks, |
| 25 He ordered for all time what they were to do and their domains from generation to generation. They were not to hunger, nor grow weary, nor ever cease from their tasks. |
| 26 Not one should ever crowd its neighbor, nor should they ever disobey his word. |
| 27 Then the LORD looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings. |
| 28 Its surface he covered with all manner of life which must return into it again. |