so that the godless should not reign or those who ensnare the people.
But they did not listen; Manasseh misled them to do more evil than the nations had done that the Lord destroyed before the people of Israel.
that the exulting of the wicked is short and the joy of the godless is but for a moment?
Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn one who is righteous and mighty,
“For his eyes are upon the ways of mortals, and he sees all their steps.
When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him? Whether nation or person, it is the same—
“For has anyone said to God, ‘I have endured punishment; I will not offend any more;
But he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth, from the hand of the mighty.
On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among humankind.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one bungler destroys much good.
I gave you a king in my anger, and I took him away in my wrath.
Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, because he was determined to go after vanity.
For you have kept the statutes of Omri and all the works of the house of Ahab, and you have followed their counsels. Therefore I will make you a desolation and your inhabitants an object of hissing, so you shall bear the scorn of my people.