² “I know that you can do all things;^(A)
    no purpose of yours can be thwarted.^(B)

¹⁸ With whom, then, will you compare God?^(A)
    To what image^(B) will you liken him?

²¹ Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?^(A)
Has it not been told^(B) you from the beginning?^(C)
    Have you not understood^(D) since the earth was founded?^(E)
22 He sits enthroned^(F) above the circle of the earth,
    and its people are like grasshoppers.^(G)
He stretches out the heavens^(H) like a canopy,^(I)
    and spreads them out like a tent^(J) to live in.^(K)
23 He brings princes^(L) to naught
    and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.^(M)
24 No sooner are they planted,
    no sooner are they sown,
    no sooner do they take root^(N) in the ground,
than he blows^(O) on them and they wither,^(P)
    and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.^(Q)

²¹ Why do you not pardon my offenses
    and forgive my sins?^(A)
For I will soon lie down in the dust;^(B)
    you will search for me, but I will be no more.”^(C)

³⁴ Weep and wail, you shepherds;^(A)
    roll^(B) in the dust, you leaders of the flock.
For your time to be slaughtered^(C) has come;
    you will fall like the best of the rams.^[a](D)