Sayto the righteousthat [it will go] well[with them], For they will eatthe fruitof their actions.
"Farbe it from You to dosucha thing,to slaythe righteouswith the wicked,so that the righteousand the wickedare [treated] alike. Farbe it from You! Shall not the Judgeof allthe earthdealjustly?"
And menwill say,"Surelythere is a rewardfor the righteous;Surelythereis a Godwho judgeson earth!"
So Godwas goodto the midwives,and the peoplemultiplied,and becameverymighty.
Blessingsare on the headof the righteous,But the mouthof the wickedconcealsviolence.
A manwill be satisfiedwith goodby the fruitof his words,And the deedsof a man'shandswill returnto him.
Adversitypursuessinners,But the righteouswill be rewardedwith prosperity.
Deathand lifeare in the powerof the tongue,And those who loveit will eatits fruit.
Althougha sinnerdoesevila hundred[times] and may lengthenhis [life], stillI knowthat it will be wellfor those who fearGod,whofearHim openly.
"Noweaponthat is formedagainstyou will prosper;And everytonguethat accusesyou in judgmentyou will condemn.Thisis the heritageof the servantsof the LORD,And their vindicationis from Me," declaresthe LORD.
The LORDsaid,"SurelyI will setyou freefor [purposes of] good;SurelyI will cause the enemyto makesupplicationto you In a timeof disasterand a timeof distress.
"But I will punishyou according to the resultsof your deeds,"declaresthe LORD,"And I will kindlea firein its forestThat it may devourallits environs."'"
"Do you becomea kingbecauseyou are competingin cedar?Did not your fathereatand drinkAnd dojusticeand righteousness?Thenit was wellwith him.
"But thisis whatI commandedthem, saying,ObeyMy voice,and I will be your God,and you will be My people;and you will walkin allthe waywhichI commandyou, that it may be wellwith you.'
"The personwho sinswill die.The sonwill not bearthe punishmentfor the father'siniquity,norwill the fatherbearthe punishmentfor the son'siniquity;the righteousnessof the righteouswill be upon himself, and the wickednessof the wickedwill be upon himself.
The LORDsaidto him, "Gothrough the midstof the city,[even] through the midstof Jerusalem,and puta markon the foreheadsof the menwho sighand groanoverallthe abominationswhich are being committedin its midst."
And the earthwill becomedesolatebecauseof her inhabitants,On accountof the fruitof their deeds.
Seekthe LORD,Allyou humbleof the earthWhohave carriedout His ordinances;Seekrighteousness,seekhumility.Perhapsyou will be hiddenIn the dayof the LORD'Sanger.
So you will againdistinguishbetweenthe righteousand the wicked,betweenone who servesGodand one whodoes not serveHim.
"And he saidto him also,'And you are to be overfivecities.'
"You shall not eatit, sothat it may be wellwith you and your sonsafteryou, for you will be doingwhatis rightin the sightof the LORD.
For Godis not unjustso as to forgetyour workand the lovewhichyou have showntowardHis name,in having ministeredand in still ministeringto the saints.
