⁴ The best of them is like a brier,
    the most upright of them a thorn hedge.
The day of their^[a] sentinels, of their^[b] punishment, has come;
    now their confusion is at hand.^(A)

³ What will you do on the day of punishment,
    in the calamity that will come from far away?
To whom will you flee for help,
    and where will you leave your wealth,^(A)

⁶ But the godless^[a] are all like thorns that are thrown away,
    for they cannot be picked up with the hand;^(A)
7 to touch them one uses an iron bar
    or the shaft of a spear.
    And they are entirely consumed in fire on the spot.^[b]

¹⁰ Like thorns they are entangled;
    like drunkards they are drunk;
    they are consumed like dry straw.^(A)