41
Let the one who sells be like one who will flee; let the one who buys be like one who will lose;
42
let the one who does business be like one who will not make a profit; and let the one who builds a house be like one who will not live in it;
43
let the one who sows be like one who will not reap; so also the one who prunes the vines, like one who will not gather the grapes;
44
those who marry, like those who will have no children; and those who do not marry, like those who are widowed.
45
Because of this, those who labor, labor in vain;
46
for strangers shall gather their fruits, and plunder their goods, overthrow their houses, and take their children captive; for in captivity and famine they will produce their children.
47
Those who conduct business, do so only to have it plundered; the more they adorn their cities, their houses and possessions, and their persons,
48
the more angry I will be with them for their sins, says the Lord.
49
Just as a respectable and virtuous woman abhors a prostitute,
50
so righteousness shall abhor iniquity, when she decks herself out, and shall accuse her to her face when he comes who will defend the one who searches out every sin on earth.
51
Therefore do not be like her or her works.