1
Do not desire a multitude of useless children, nor rejoice in ungodly sons.
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, and do not rely on their multitude; for one is better than a thousand, and to die childless is better than to have ungodly children.
4
For through one man of understanding a city will be filled with people, but through a tribe of lawless men it will be made 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 will be kindled, and in a disobedient nation wrath was kindled.
7
He was not propitiated for the ancient giants who revolted in their might.
8
He did not spare the neighbors of Lot, whom he loathed on account of their insolence.
9
He showed no pity for a nation devoted to destruction, for those destroyed in their sins;