^5 (A)The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every ^(B)intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

²¹ And when the Lord smelled ^(A)the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again ^(B)curse^[a] the ground because of man, for ^(C)the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. ^(D)Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.

¹⁹ one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.’ This will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike.

²¹ And when many evils and troubles have come upon them, this song shall confront them as ^(A)a witness (for it will live unforgotten in the mouths of their offspring). For ^(B)I know what they are inclined to do even today, before I have brought them into the land that I swore to give.”

¹⁸ O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you.

^8 (A)Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, ^(B)but everyone walked in the stubbornness of his evil heart. Therefore I brought upon them all ^(C)the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did not.”

¹⁰ This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, ^(A)who stubbornly follow their own heart and have gone after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be like this loincloth, which is ^(B)good for nothing.

¹² and because ^(A)you have done worse than your fathers, for behold, ^(B)every one of you follows his stubborn, evil will, refusing to listen to me.

¹² “But they say, ^(A)‘That is in vain! We will follow our own plans, and will every one act according to ^(B)the stubbornness of his evil heart.’

¹⁷ They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, ^(A)‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who ^(B)stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ^(C)‘No disaster shall come upon you.’”