23. whose look dries up the depths, and whose indignation makes the mountains to melt away, and whose truth bears witness:
24. hear, O Lord, the prayer of your servant, and give ear to the petition of your handiwork;
25. attend to my words, for so long as I live I will speak, and so long as I have understanding I will answer.
26. O look not upon the sins of your people; but on them that have served you in truth,
27. Regard not the doings of them that deal wickedly, but of them that have kept your covenants in affliction.
28. Think not upon those that have walked feignedly before you; but remember them which have willingly known your fear.
29. Let it not be your will to destroy them which have lived like cattle; but look upon them that have clearly taught your law.
30. Take you no indignation at them which are deemed worse than beasts; but love them that have always put their trust in your glory.
31. For we and our fathers have passed our lives in ways that bring death: but you because of us sinners are called merciful.
32. For if you have a desire to have mercy upon us, then shall you be called merciful, to us, namely, that have no works of righteousness.
33. For the just, which have many good works laid up with you, shall for their own deeds receive reward.
34. For what is man, that you should take displeasure at him? or what is a corruptible race, that you should be so bitter toward it?
35. For in truth there is no man among them that be born, but he has dealt wickedly; and among them that have lived there is none which have not done amiss.
36. For in this, O Lord, your righteousness and your goodness shall be declared, if you be merciful to them which have no store of good works.
37. Then answered he me, and said, Some things have you spoken aright, and according to your words so shall it come to pass.
38. For indeed I will not think on the fashioning of them which have sinned, or their death, their judgement, or their destruction;
39. but I will rejoice over the framing of the righteous, their pilgrimage also, and the salvation, and the reward, that they shall have.
40. Like therefore as I have spoken, so shall it be.
41. For as the husbandman sows much seed upon the ground, and plants many trees, and yet not all that is sown shall come up in due season, neither shall all that is planted take root: even so they that are sown in the world shall not all be saved.