"He who is at easeholdscalamityin contempt,As preparedfor those whose feetslip.
"I ama joketo my friends,The one who calledon Godand He answeredhim; The just[and] blameless[man] is a joke.
"The tentsof the destroyersprosper,And those who provokeGodare secure,WhomGodbringsinto their power.
"I toocould speaklike you, IfI were in your place.I could composewordsagainstyou And shakemy headat you.
"Indeed,the lightof the wickedgoesout, And the flameof his firegivesnolight.
"Does the wilddonkeybrayover[his] grass,Ordoes the oxlowoverhis fodder?
My stepshave heldfastto Your paths.My feethave not slipped.
IfI should say,"My foothas slipped,"Your lovingkindness,O LORD,will holdme up.
The lightof the righteousrejoices,But the lampof the wickedgoesout.
He who curseshis fatheror his mother,His lampwill goout in timeof darkness.
Givegloryto the LORDyour God,BeforeHe bringsdarknessAnd beforeyour feetstumbleOn the duskymountains,And while you are hopingfor lightHe makesit into deepdarkness,[And] turns[it] into gloom.
"The foolishsaidto the prudent,'Giveus someof your oil,for our lampsare goingout.'
And I will sayto my soul,"Soul,you havemanygoodslaidup for manyyears[to come]; take your ease,eat,drink[and] be merry."'
Vengeanceis Mine, and retribution,In due timetheir footwill slip;For the dayof their calamityis near,And the impendingthingsare hasteningupon them.'
