⁵ Yes, God is mighty, but he despises no one;
he understands all things.^[a](A)
6 He does not keep the wicked alive,^(B)
but he gives justice to the oppressed.
⁷ He does not withdraw his gaze from the righteous,
but he seats them forever with enthroned kings,
and they are exalted.

⁸ If people are bound with chains
and trapped by the cords of affliction,
⁹ God tells them what they have done
and how arrogantly they have transgressed.
¹⁰ He opens their ears^(C) to correction
and tells them to repent from iniquity.
¹¹ If they listen and serve him,
they will end their days in prosperity
and their years in happiness.^(D)
12 But if they do not listen,
they will cross the river of death^[b]
and die without knowledge.^(E)