3
Do not trust in their survival, or rely on their numbers; for one can be better than a thousand, and to die childless is better than to have ungodly children.
1
Do not desire a multitude of worthless children, and do not rejoice in ungodly offspring.
2
If they multiply, do not rejoice in them, unless the fear of the Lord is in them.
3
Do not trust in their survival, or rely on their numbers; for one can be better than a thousand, and to die childless is better than to have ungodly children.
4
For through one intelligent person a city can be filled with people, but through a clan of outlaws it becomes desolate.
5
Many such things my eye has seen, and my ear has heard things more striking than these.
Footnotes 1
[a].
Other ancient authorities add [For you will groan in untimely mourning, and will know of their sudden end.]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.