5 Look at me and be astonished;

bPut your hand over your mouth.

6 Even when I remember I am terrified,

And trembling takes hold of my flesh.

7 cWhy do the wicked live and become old,

Yes, become mighty in power?

8 Their descendants are established with them in their sight,

And their offspring before their eyes.

9 Their houses are safe from fear,

dNeither is 2the rod of God upon them.

10 Their bull breeds without failure;

Their cow calves ewithout miscarriage.

11 They send forth their little ones like a flock,

And their children dance.

12 They sing to the tambourine and harp,

And rejoice to the sound of the flute.

13 They fspend their days in wealth,

And 3in a moment go down to the 4grave.

14 gYet they say to God, ‘Depart from us,

For we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways.

15 hWho is the Almighty, that we should serve Him?

And iwhat profit do we have if we pray to Him?’

16 Indeed 5their prosperity is not in their hand;

jThe counsel of the wicked is far from me.