Chapter 16
1
Do not desire a multitude of worthless a Gk body children, and do not rejoice in ungodly offspring. 2 If they multiply, do not rejoice in them, unless the fear of the Lord is in them. 3 Do not trust in their survival, or rely on their numbers; b Heb Syr lack who pleases you for one can be better than a thousand, and to die childless is better than to have ungodly children. 4 For through one intelligent person a city can be filled with people, but through a clan of outlaws it becomes desolate.
5Many such things my eye has seen, and my ear has heard things more striking than these. 6 In an assembly of sinners a fire is kindled, and in a disobedient nation wrath blazes up. 7 He did not forgive the ancient giants who revolted in their might. 8 He did not spare the neighbors of Lot, whom he loathed on account of their arrogance. 9 He showed no pity on the doomed nation, on those dispossessed because of their sins; c Gk them 10 or on the six hundred thousand foot soldiers who assembled in their stubbornness. d Or ancestors 11 Even if there were only one stiff‐necked person, it would be a wonder if he remained unpunished. For mercy and wrath are with the Lord; e Or it will bring forth he is mighty to forgive—but he also pours out wrath. 12 Great as is his mercy, so also is his chastisement; he judges a person according to his or her deeds. 13 The sinner will not escape with plunder, and the patience of the godly will not be frustrated. 14 He makes room for every act of mercy; everyone receives in accordance with his or her deeds. a Heb: Gk and let him not return a favor to you
17Do not say, “I am hidden from the Lord, and who from on high has me in mind? Among so many people I am unknown, for what am I in a boundless creation? 18 Lo, heaven and the highest heaven, the abyss and the earth, tremble at his visitation! b Heb: Gk by your spirit 19 The very mountains and the foundations of the earth quiver and quake when he looks upon them. 20 But no human mind can grasp this, and who can comprehend his ways? 21 Like a tempest that no one can see, so most of his works are concealed. c Heb: Gk scribe 22 Who is to announce his acts of justice? Or who can await them? For his decree d Other ancient authorities add here or after verse 9a, Nothing is more wicked than one who loves money, for such a person puts his own soul up for sale. is far off.” e Heb: Meaning of Gk uncertain 23 Such are the thoughts of one devoid of understanding; a senseless and misguided person thinks foolishly.
24Listen to me, my child, and acquire knowledge, and pay close attention to my words. 25 I will impart discipline precisely f Heb Lat: Meaning of Gk uncertain and declare knowledge accurately. 26 When the Lord created g Heb: Gk wild animals his works from the beginning, and, in making them, determined their boundaries, 27 he arranged his works in an eternal order, and their dominion h Other ancient authorities read proud nations for all generations. They neither hunger nor grow weary, and they do not abandon their tasks. 28 They do not crowd one another, and they never disobey his word. 29 Then the Lord looked upon the earth, and filled it with his good things. 30 With all kinds of living beings he covered its surface, and into it they must return.
Notes:
f Gk body
g Heb Syr lack who pleases you
a Gk them
b Or ancestors
a Or it will bring forth
b Heb: Gk and let him not return a favor to you
c Heb: Gk by your spirit
a Heb: Gk scribe
b Other ancient authorities add here or after verse 9a, Nothing is more wicked than one who loves money, for such a person puts his own soul up for sale.
c Heb: Meaning of Gk uncertain
d Heb Lat: Meaning of Gk uncertain
e Heb: Gk wild animals
a Other ancient authorities read proud nations