⁵ The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth,^(A) and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.^(B)

²¹ The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma^(A) and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground^(B) because of humans, even though^[a] every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood.^(C) And never again will I destroy^(D) all living creatures,^(E) as I have done.

¹⁹ When such a person hears the words of this oath and they invoke a blessing^(A) on themselves, thinking, “I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way,”^(B) they will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry.

²¹ And when many disasters and calamities come on them,^(A) this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten by their descendants. I know what they are disposed to do,^(B) even before I bring them into the land I promised them on oath.”

¹⁸ Lord, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you.

⁸ But they did not listen or pay attention;^(A) instead, they followed the stubbornness of their evil hearts.^(B) So I brought on them all the curses^(C) of the covenant I had commanded them to follow but that they did not keep.^(D)’”

¹⁰ These wicked people, who refuse to listen^(A) to my words, who follow the stubbornness of their hearts^(B) and go after other gods^(C) to serve and worship them,^(D) will be like this belt—completely useless!^(E)

¹² But you have behaved more wickedly than your ancestors.^(A) See how all of you are following the stubbornness of your evil hearts^(B) instead of obeying me.

¹² But they will reply, ‘It’s no use.^(A) We will continue with our own plans; we will all follow the stubbornness of our evil hearts.^(B)’”