⁷ Why do the wicked live and become old and even increase in riches? ⁸ Their seed is with them, established in their sight, and their offspring before their eyes. ⁹ Their houses are safe from fear; neither is the rod of God upon them. ¹⁰ Their cows conceive, and do not abort; their cows calve and do not cast forth their young. ¹¹ They send forth their little ones like a flock of sheep, and their children dance. ¹² They jump at the sound of the timbrel and harp and rejoice at the sound of the organ. ¹³ They spend their days in pleasure and in a moment go down to Sheol. ¹⁴ Therefore, they say unto God, Depart from us; for we do not desire the knowledge of thy ways. ¹⁵ Who is the Almighty that we should serve him? And what profit should we have if we pray unto him? ¹⁶ Behold that their good is not in their hands; the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

¹⁷ How often is the lamp of the wicked put out and their destruction comes upon them, and God distributes sorrows upon them in his anger. ¹⁸ They shall be as stubble before the wind and as chaff taken up by the whirlwind. ¹⁹ God shall lay up his violence for their sons; and he will reward him so that he shall know it. ²⁰ His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. ²¹ For what delight shall he have in his house after him, being cut off in the number of his months?