4
O Lord Almighty, Thou God of Israel, hear now the prayers of the dead Israelites and of their children, who have sinned before Thee and not hearkened unto the voice of Thee their God, for which cause these plagues cleave unto us.
5
Remember not the iniquities of our forefathers, but think upon Thy power and Thy name now at this time.
6
For Thou art the Lord our God, and Thee, O Lord, will we think upon Thy power and Thy name now at this time praise.
7
And for this cause Thou hast put Thy fear in our hearts, with the intent that we should call upon Thy name and praise Thee in our captivity; for we have called to mind all the iniquity of our forefathers, who sinned before Thee.
8
Behold, we are yet this day in our captivity, where Thou hast scattered us, as a reproach and a curse and to be subject to payments, according to all the iniquities of our fathers who departed from the Lord our God.'"
9
Hear, Israel, the commandments of life; give ear to understand wisdom.
10
How happeneth it Israel, that thou art in thine enemies' land, that thou art waxed old in a strange country, that thou art defiled with the dead,
11
that thou art counted with them that go down into the grave?
12
Thou hast forsaken the fountain of wisdom;
13
for if thou hadst walked in the way of God, thou shouldest have dwelled in peace for ever.
14
Learn where is wisdom, where is strength, where is understanding, that thou mayest know also where is length of days and life, where is the light of the eyes and peace.