thus I have been made to inherit months of futility, and nights of sorrow have been appointed to me.

“Truly, I know that this is so. But how can a human be just before God?

“It is all one! That is why I say, ‘He destroys the blameless and the guilty.’

because they have turned away from following him, and have not understood any of his ways,

Not so with the wicked! Instead they are like wind-driven chaff.

For this reason the wicked cannot withstand judgment, nor can sinners join the assembly of the godly.

You are the most handsome of all men! You speak in an impressive and fitting manner! For this reason God grants you continual blessings.

I will proclaim your greatness through the coming years, then the nations will praise you forever.

For this reason we do not fear when the earth shakes, and the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea,

The praise you receive as far away as the ends of the earth is worthy of your reputation, O God. You execute justice!

Then I will sing praises to your name continually, as I fulfill my vows day after day.

For this reason I carefully follow all your precepts. I hate all deceitful actions.

He has not done so with any other nation; they are not aware of his regulations. Praise the Lord!

Such are the ways of all who gain profit unjustly; it takes away the life of those who obtain it!

Therefore, his disaster will come suddenly; in an instant he will be broken, and there will be no remedy.

So it is with the one who has sex with his neighbor’s wife; no one who touches her will escape punishment.

Likewise, know that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, you will have a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Do not say, “I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will pay him back according to what he has done.”

Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.

Like a fluttering bird or like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause does not come to rest.