Fools,becauseof their rebelliousway,And becauseof their iniquities,were afflicted.
The foolhas saidin his heart,"Thereis noGod."They are corrupt,they have committedabominabledeeds;Thereis noonewho doesgood.
A senselessmanhasnoknowledge,Nordoes a stupidmanunderstandthis:
"Howlong,O naiveones,will you lovebeing simple-minded?And scoffersdelightthemselves in scoffingAnd foolshateknowledge?
Suddenlyhe followsher As an oxgoesto the slaughter,Or as [one in] fettersto the disciplineof a fool,
And I sawamong the naive,[And] discernedamong the youthsA youngmanlackingsense,
"Your own wickednesswill correctyou, And your apostasieswill reproveyou; Knowtherefore and seethat it is eviland bitterFor you to forsakethe LORDyour God,And the dreadof Me is not in you," declaresthe LordGODof hosts.
Whyshould [any] livingmortal,or [any] man,Offercomplaintin viewof his sins?
