Chapter 16

16. Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons, for though they multiply, one that is just is better than a thousand, and the kindred of the ungodly shall speedily be made desolate, as I have seen in the congregation of the ungodly where a fire shall be kindled, and in a rebellious nation where wrath is set on fire; for the Lord was not pacified toward the old giants nor did he spare Sodom, but had no pity on the people of perdition, nor the six hundred thousand footmen taken away in their sins. If one stiffnecked among the people escapes unpunished, it is a marvel, for mercy and wrath are with God, who is mighty to forgive and to pour out displeasure, and as his mercy is great, so is his correction, judging a man according to his works so that the sinner shall not escape with his spoils. Say not that you will hide yourself from the Lord, asking who shall remember you, for the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth, shall be moved when he visits, and the mountains and foundations of the earth shall tremble when the Lord looks upon them; no heart can worthily think upon these things, nor is any able to conceive his hidden ways, and he that lacks understanding will think upon vain things. My son, hearken unto me and attend to my words, for the works of the Lord are done in judgment from the beginning and he disposed the parts thereof, garnishing his works for ever, which neither labor nor are weary, nor cease from their works, none hindering another, and they shall never disobey his word; after this the Lord looked upon the earth, filling it with blessings and covering its face with all manner of living things, which shall return into it again.