Now it happened, when the king of Ai saw [it,] that the men of the city hurried and rose early and went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at an appointed place before the plain. But he did not know that [there was] an ambush against him behind the city.

They spend their days in wealth, And in a moment go down to the grave.

The way of the wicked [is] like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.

By transgression an evil man is snared, But the righteous sings and rejoices.

Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

Though a sinner does evil a hundred [times,] and his [days] are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him.

For man also does not know his time: Like fish taken in a cruel net, Like birds caught in a snare, So the sons of men [are] snared in an evil time, When it falls suddenly upon them.

" Say to the righteous that [it shall be] well [with them,] For they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

Woe to the wicked! [It shall be] ill [with him,] For the reward of his hands shall be given him.

Therefore evil shall come upon you; You shall not know from where it arises. And trouble shall fall upon you; You will not be able to put it off. And desolation shall come upon you suddenly, [Which] you shall not know.

"Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

" But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

" But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.