19. And your glory went through four gates, of fire, and of earthquake, and of wind, and of cold; that you might give the law to the seed of Jacob, and the commandment to the generation of Israel.
20. And yet took you not away from them their wicked heart, that your law might bring forth fruit in them.
21. For the first Adam bearing a wicked heart transgressed, and was overcome; and not he only, but all they also that are born of him.
22. Thus disease was made permanent; and the law was in the heart of the people along with the wickedness of the root; so the good departed away, and that which was wicked abode still.
23. So the times passed away, and the years were brought to an end: then did you raise you up a servant, called David,
24. whom you commanded to build a city to your name, and to offer oblations to you therein of your own.
25. When this was done many years, then they that inhabited the city did evil,
26. in all things doing even as Adam and all his generations had done: for they also bare a wicked heart:
27. and so you gave your city over into the hands of your enemies.
28. And I said then in mine heart, are their deeds any better that inhabit Babylon? and has she therefore dominion over Sion?
29. For it came to pass when I came hither, that I saw also impieties without number, and my soul saw many evil-doers in this thirties year, so that my heart failed me.
30. For I have seen how you suffer them sinning, and have spared the ungodly doers, and have destroyed your people, and have preserved your enemies; and you have not signified
31. to any how your way may be comprehended. Are the deeds of Babylon better than those of Sion?