4. If thy children have sinned against him, and he have delivered them into the hand of their transgression:
5. If thou wouldest seek diligently unto God, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;
6. If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
7. And though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
8. For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and apply thyself to that which their fathers have searched out:
9. (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)
10. Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?
11. Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?
12. Whilst it is yet in its greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.
13. So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hope of the godless man shall perish: