23
When one builds and another tears down, what do they gain but toil?
24
When one prays and another curses, to whose voice will the Lord listen?
25
If a man washes after touching a dead body, and touches it again, what has he gained by his washing?
26
So if a man fasts for his sins, and goes again and does the same things, who will listen to his prayer? And what has he gained by humbling himself?
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.