Then Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, the large number of his sons, and every instance in which the king had magnified him and how he had promoted him over the officials and servants of the king.

“I have seen the foolish taking root [and outwardly prospering],
But I cursed his dwelling immediately [for his destruction was certain].

“Why do the wicked still live,
Become old, and become mighty in power?

‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.’

A green bay-tree

“So are the paths of all who forget God;
And the hope of the godless will perish,

‘All the birds of the sky made their nests in its twigs,
And under its branches all the animals of the field gave birth [to their young],
And all of the great nations lived under its shadow.

The tree that you saw, which became great and grew strong, whose height reached to heaven and which was visible to all the earth,

General references

For they will wither quickly like the grass,
And fade like the green herb.

“Why has the renowned city not been deserted,
The city of My joy!