Column 18

3 [… by] your plan everything comes to be, [and] by the design of your heart it is established. [And apart from you nothing] 4 [is done], and without your will nothing exists. And no one understands [your] wisdom, 5 and into the [counsel of] your mysteries no one looks. And what then is a human? He is earth, 6 pinched clay, and his return is to dust. Yet you give him insight into wonders like these, and the counsel of [your] truth 7 you make known to him. And I am dust and ashes. What can I plan unless you desire it? And what can I think 8 without your will? How can I be strong unless you make me stand? And how can I understand unless you have formed it 9 for me? And what can I say unless you open my mouth? And how can I answer unless you give me insight? 10 Behold, you are prince of gods and king of the glorious ones, and lord of every spirit⁠a and ruler over every work. 11 And apart from you nothing is done, and nothing is known without your will. And there is none besides you, 12 and none with you in strength, and none to match your glory, and your might is beyond price. And who 13 among all your great wonderful works has the strength to stand before your glory? 14 And what then is one who returns to his dust, that he should have such strength? Only for your glory have you done all these things. 16 Blessed are you, O Lord, God of mercies and [great in] kindness, for you have made these things known to me, to recount 17 your wonders and not to be silent day and night. To you belongs all strength … … 18 to your kindness, in your great goodness and the abundance [of your mercies …] I will delight in [your forgiveness,] 19 for I lean on your truth [and …] your … [and] there is no … [… without] 20 your … and without your hand [there is no judgment, and without] your rebuke there is no stumbling, [and no] 21 affliction that you do not know, and [nothing is done without] your [will.] 22 And I, according to my knowledge of [your] truth, [will sing of your kindness,] and when I look on your glory I will recount 23 your wonders, and when I understand the [counsel of your wonder I will wait] for the abundance of your mercies, and for your forgiveness 24 I will hope. For you formed the [spirit of your servant, and according to] your [will] you established me. And you have not put 25 my support in gain, and in the wealth of [violence … not] my heart, and a fleshly inclination you have not set as my strength. 26 The strength of warriors rests on many delights, [and they take pleasure in] abundance of grain, new wine, and oil, 27 and they pride themselves in livestock and property, [and they flourish like a] leafy [tree] by streams of water, putting out leaves 28 and multiplying branches. For you have chosen [them from all the sons of] Adam, for all to grow fat from the land. 29 But to the sons of your truth you have given insight … […] … forever, and according to their knowledge they are honored, 30 one more than another. And so for a son of Adam … [… in a] man you have increased his inheritance 31 in the knowledge of your truth, and according to his knowledge … [… for] the soul of your servant detests wealth 32 and gain, and in the height of delights it does not … For my heart rejoices in your covenant, and your truth 33 delights my soul. And I blossom like a lily, and my heart is opened to the eternal source, 34 and my support is in the stronghold on high, and … trouble. And it withers like a blossom before the wind. 35 And my heart is in turmoil with anguish, and my loins with trembling, and my groaning reaches to the deep 36 and searches the chambers of Sheol together. And I am afraid when I hear your judgments on the mighty 37 warriors and your dispute with the host of your holy ones in heaven and […] … 38 and judgment on all your works, and righteousness … […] … 39 […] … […] 40 […] … 41 […] … my affliction.