7
We wearied ourselves in the way of iniquity and destruction, and have walked through hard ways, but the way of the Lord we have not known.
8
What hath pride profited us? or what advantage hath the boasting of riches brought us?
9
All those things are passed away like a shadow, and like a post that runneth on,
10
And as a ship that passeth through the waves: whereof when it is gone by, the trace cannot be found, nor the path of its keel in the waters:
11
Or as when a bird flieth through the air, of the passage of which no mark can be found, but only the sound of the wings beating the light air, and parting it by the force of her flight; she moved her wings, and hath flown through, and there is no mark found afterwards of her way:
12
Or as when an arrow is shot at a mark, the divided air presently cometh together again, so that the passage thereof is not known:
13
So we also being born, forthwith ceased to be: and have been able to shew no mark of virtue: but are consumed in our wickedness.
14
Such things as these the sinners said in hell:
15
For the hope of the wicked is as dust, which is blown away with the wind, and as a thin froth which is dispersed by the storm: and a smoke that is scattered abroad by the wind: and as the remembrance of a guest of one day that passeth by.
16
But the just shall live for evermore: and their reward is with the Lord, and the care of them with the most High.
17
Therefore shall they receive a kingdom of glory, and a crown of beauty at the hand of the Lord: for with his right hand he will cover them, and with his holy arm he will defend them.