² How long will you mouth such things
    such that your utterances become a strong wind?
³ Does God pervert justice,
    or does the Almighty distort what is right?
⁴ If your children sinned against him,
    then he delivered them into the power of their rebellion.
⁵ If you will search eagerly for God,
    plead with the Almighty.
⁶ If you are pure and do the right thing,
    then surely he will become active on your behalf
    and reward your innocent dwelling.
⁷ Although your former state was ordinary,
    your future will be extraordinary.

⁸ Ask a previous generation
        and verify the findings of your ancestors,
⁹     for we are only recently here and don’t know
        because our days on earth are a shadow.
¹⁰ Won’t they instruct you and tell you;
    will words not^[a] proceed from their hearts?

¹¹ Does papyrus grow apart from a marsh?
    Does a reed flourish without water?
¹²         While still tender, uncut,
        it will wither before every other grass.
¹³ So are the paths of all who forget God.
    Hope perishes for the godless,
¹⁴     whose confidence is a fragile thing,^[b]
        their trust, a spider’s web.
¹⁵ He leans on its web, and it doesn’t stand;
    grasps it, and it can’t remain in place.
¹⁶ It’s like a well-watered plant in the sun;
    its runners spread over its gardens.
¹⁷ Its roots are entwined over a pile of rocks,
    for it sees a home among stones.
¹⁸ If it’s uprooted from its place,
    it lies, saying, “I can’t see you.”
¹⁹ Surely its way is a joy,
    for from the dust other plants^[c] sprout.

²⁰ Surely God won’t reject integrity,
    won’t strengthen the hand of the wicked.
²¹ He will still fill your mouth with joy,
    your lips with a victorious shout.
²² Those who hate you will be clothed with shame,
    and the tent of the wicked will vanish.