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.

⁵

Many 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

¹⁷

Do 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.

²⁴

Listen 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.