But they pay no attention; instead they observe their earlier practices.

The sons of Nadab: Seled and Appaim. (Seled died without having sons.)

He let no one oppress them, he disciplined kings for their sake,

He did what the Lord approved, but not with wholehearted devotion.

The Lord confronted Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.

because it did not shut the doors of my mother’s womb on me, nor did it hide trouble from my eyes!

“Why did I not die at birth, and why did I not expire as I came out of the womb?

There the prisoners relax together; they do not hear the voice of the oppressor.

If God puts no trust in his servants and attributes folly to his angels,

He frustrates the plans of the crafty so that their hands cannot accomplish what they had planned!

He will deliver you from six calamities; yes, in seven no evil will touch you.

You will be protected from malicious gossip, and will not be afraid of the destruction when it comes.

And you will know that your home will be secure, and when you inspect your domains, you will not be missing anything.

For now you have become like these streams that are no help; you see a terror, and are afraid.

Is there any falsehood on my lips? Can my mouth not discern evil things?

“Does not humanity have hard service on earth? Are not their days also like the days of a hired man?

The eye of him who sees me now will see me no more; your eyes will look for me, but I will be gone.

As a cloud is dispersed and then disappears, so the one who goes down to the grave does not come up again.

Will they not instruct you and speak to you, and bring forth words from their understanding?

Can the papyrus plant grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds flourish without water?