21
For the first Adam, bearing a wicked heart, transgressed and was overcome; and so be all those who are born of him.
22
Thus infirmity was made permanent; and the law was (also) in the heart of the people with the malignity of the root, so that the good departed away and the evil abode still.
23
So the times passed away, and the years were brought to an end. Then didst Thou raise Thee up a servant called David,
24
whom Thou commanded to build a city unto Thy name, and to offer incense and oblations unto Thee therein.
25
When this was done many years, then those who inhabited the city forsook Thee,
26
and in all things did even as Adam and all his generations had done; for they also had a wicked heart.
27
And so Thou gavest Thy city over into the hands of Thine enemies.
28
"Are their deeds then any better who inhabit Babylon, that they should therefore have the dominion over Zion?
29
For when I came thither and had seen impieties without number, then my soul saw many evildoers in this thirtieth year, so that my heart failed me.
30
For I have seen how Thou sufferest them sinning and hast spared wicked doers, and hast destroyed Thy people and hast preserved Thine enemies, and hast not made it known.
31
I do not conceive how this way may be left. Are they then of Babylon better than they of Zion?