5. ‘God is mighty, but despises no one;he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.
6. He does not keep the wicked alivebut gives the afflicted their rights.
7. He does not take his eyes off the righteous;he enthrones them with kingsand exalts them for ever.
8. But if people are bound in chains,held fast by cords of affliction,
9. he tells them what they have done –that they have sinned arrogantly.
10. He makes them listen to correctionand commands them to repent of their evil.
11. If they obey and serve him,they will spend the rest of their days in prosperityand their years in contentment.
12. But if they do not listen,they will perish by the swordand die without knowledge.