7
Why do the wicked live and become old, Yes, become mighty in power?
8
Their descendants are established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes.
9
Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them.
10
Their bull breeds without failure; Their cow calves without miscarriage.
11
They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance.
12
They sing to the tambourine and harp, And rejoice to the sound of the flute.
13
They spend their days in wealth, And in a moment go down to the grave.
14
Yet they say to God, 'Depart from us, For we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways.
15
Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?'
16
Indeed their prosperity is not in their hand; The counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17
"How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? How often does their destruction come upon them, The sorrows God distributes in His anger?
18
They are like straw before the wind, And like chaff that a storm carries away.
19
They say, 'God lays up one's iniquity for his children'; Let Him recompense him, that he may know it.
20
Let his eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21
For what does he care about his household after him, When the number of his months is cut in half?
22
"Can anyone teach God knowledge, Since He judges those on high?
23
One dies in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and secure;
24
His pails are full of milk, And the marrow of his bones is moist.
25
Another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, Never having eaten with pleasure.
26
They lie down alike in the dust, And worms cover them.
27
"Look, I know your thoughts, And the schemes with which you would wrong me.