Desire not the shapeliness of vain youths; and rejoice not in sons of wickedness.

Yea, and if they increase, delight not in them; if the fear of the Lord be not with them.

Trust not in their life, and rely not on their issues;

for they shall not have a good end.

For better is one that doeth acceptably than a thousand; and he that dieth childless than he that hath many sons of wickedness; and than an ungodly posterity.

Of one that feareth the Lord shall a city be peopled; and by a family of transgressors it shall be made desolate.

Many things like these hath mine eye seen; and mighty things like these hath mine ear heard.

In the congregation of the wicked a fire burneth; and in an ungodly nation wrath is kindled.

Seeing that He forgave not the princes of old time, who ruled the world by their power.

And He spared not them that sojourned with Lot, who transgressed in their pride.

And He spared not the people of perdition, that were dispossessed in their iniquity.

So were the six hundred thousand footmen, that were taken away in the arrogancy of their heart.

And if even one stiffen his neck; it were a marvel should he be unpunished.

For mercy and wrath are with Him; and He forgiveth and pardoneth; but upon the wicked His indignation shall rest.

According to the greatness of His mercy, so is His correction; He will judge each according to his doings.

He will not let the wrong-doer escape with plunder; neither will He frustrate the desire of the righteous for ever.

Whosoever doeth righteousness, there is a reward for him; and according to his works shall every man go forth before Him.

Pharaoh, who knew Him not, hardened his own heart:

whose works are manifest under heaven; His mercies are seen of all His creatures; and His light and His darkness hath He apportioned to the sons of men.

Say not, I am hidden from God; and who shall remember me on high?

In the mass of people I shall not be known; and what is my soul at the end of the spirits of all the sons of men?

Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, and the deep, and the earth; when His command cometh upon them, they tremble at His visitation, and when His wrath is kindled.

The roots also of the mountains and the foundations of the world, when He looketh upon them, quake exceedingly.

Surely upon me He will not set His heart; and my ways who will consider?

If I have sinned, no eye shall see me; or if I deal falsely in any secret place, who shall know?

Work of right who shall declare unto Him? And of what is there hope, that I should be righteous?

They that want understanding will think such things; and a perverse man will imagine this.

Hearken unto me, and receive my proverbs; and set your heart upon my words.

I will pour forth my spirit by weight; and with carefulness will I declare my opinion.

When God created His works from the beginning; according to their parts . . .