¹¹ Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh?^(A)
    Can reeds^(B) thrive without water?
¹² While still growing and uncut,
    they wither more quickly than grass.^(C)
13 Such is the destiny^(D) of all who forget God;^(E)
    so perishes the hope of the godless.^(F)
14 What they trust in is fragile^[a];
    what they rely on is a spider’s web.^(G)
15 They lean on the web,^(H) but it gives way;
    they cling to it, but it does not hold.^(I)
16 They are like a well-watered plant in the sunshine,
    spreading its shoots^(J) over the garden;^(K)
17 it entwines its roots around a pile of rocks
    and looks for a place among the stones.
¹⁸ But when it is torn from its spot,
    that place disowns^(L) it and says, ‘I never saw you.’^(M)
19 Surely its life withers^(N) away,
    and^[b] from the soil other plants grow.^(O)

²⁰ “Surely God does not reject one who is blameless^(P)
    or strengthen the hands of evildoers.^(Q)
21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter^(R)
    and your lips with shouts of joy.^(S)
22 Your enemies will be clothed in shame,^(T)
    and the tents^(U) of the wicked will be no more.”^(V)

² “Indeed, I know that this is true.
    But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?^(W)