BOOK III

1xxiii

The Mystery of Prosperous Wickedness

Surely God is good to Israel,

Even to such as are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet were almost gone;
My steps had well nigh slipped.
For I was envious at the arrogant,

When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

For there are no bands in their death:
But their strength is firm.

They are not in trouble as other men;

Neither are they plagued like other men.

Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; Violence covereth them as a garment.

Their eyes stand out with fatness:

They have more than heart could wish.

They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression:

They speak loftily.

They have set their mouth in the heavens,
And their tongue walketh through the earth.

Therefore his people return hither:

And waters of a full cup are wrung out by them.
And they say, 'How doth God know?

'And is there knowledge in the Most High?
'Behold, these are the wicked;

'And, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.'

Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart,
And washed my hands in innocency;
For all the day long have I been plagued,
And chastened every morning.

If I had said, I will speak thus ;

Behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation

of thy children.

When I thought how I might know this,

It was too painful for me:

Until I went into the sanctuary of God,

And considered their latter end.

Surely thou settest them in slippery places :

Thou castest them down to destruction.

How are they become a desolation in a moment !

They are utterly consumed with terrors.

As a dream when one awaketh;

So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their

image.