5 “God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone!

He is mighty in both power and understanding.

6 He does not let the wicked live

but gives justice to the afflicted.

7 He never takes his eyes off the innocent,

but he sets them on thrones with kings

and exalts them forever.

8 If they are bound in chains

and caught up in a web of trouble,

9 he shows them the reason.

He shows them their sins of pride.

10 He gets their attention

and commands that they turn from evil.

11 “If they listen and obey God,

they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives.

All their years will be pleasant.

12 But if they refuse to listen to him,

they will cross over the river of death,

dying from lack of understanding.

13 For the godless are full of resentment.

Even when he punishes them,

they refuse to cry out to him for help.

14 They die when they are young,

after wasting their lives in immoral living.