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.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.