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.
6
In an assembly of sinners a fire is kindled, and in a disobedient nation wrath blazes up.
7
He did not forgive the ancient giants who revolted in their might.
8
He did not spare the neighbors of Lot, whom he loathed on account of their arrogance.
9
He showed no pity on the doomed nation, on those dispossessed because of their sins;
10
or on the six hundred thousand foot soldiers who assembled in their stubbornness.
11
Even if there were only one stiff-necked person, it would be a wonder if he remained unpunished. For mercy and wrath are with the Lord; he is mighty to forgive—but he also pours out wrath.
12
Great as is his mercy, so also is his chastisement; he judges a person according to his or her deeds.