¹⁷ Their roots twine around the stoneheap;
    they live among the rocks.^[a]

12 You will be in the right, O Lord,
    when I lay charges against you,
    but let me put my case to you.
Why does the way of the guilty prosper?
    Why do all who are treacherous thrive?^(A)
2 You plant them, and they take root;
    they grow and bring forth fruit;
you are near in their mouths
    yet far from their hearts.^(B)

²⁴ Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble
    and as dry grass sinks down in the flame,
so their root will become rotten,
    and their blossom go up like dust,
for they have rejected the instruction of the Lord of hosts
    and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.^(A)

¹⁹ my roots spread out to the waters,
    with the dew all night on my branches;^(A)

¹⁶ Their roots dry up beneath,
    and their branches wither above.^(A)