4 When your children sinned against him,he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.
5 But if you will seek God earnestlyand plead with the Almighty,
6 if you are pure and upright,even now he will rouse himself on your behalfand restore you to your prosperous state.
7 Your beginnings will seem humble,so prosperous will your future be.
8 ‘Ask the former generationsand find out what their ancestors learned,
9 for we were born only yesterday and know nothing,and our days on earth are but a shadow.
10 Will they not instruct you and tell you?Will they not bring forth words from their understanding?