06. The World Defends Itself.
O World, you may not have lasted more than
the usual fourscore and ten for anyone, but still
you are necessary. You may be as wretched as
a thorn on the eye, but essentially you are
as necessary as sight itself. You may have
broken, but you have mended as well.
Like a chameleon you take on the colour
of corruption from the corrupt, but to the pure
you are pure. To those who despise you
sayYou have not known me.
If you are modest and sedate you ll find me
modest and sedate as well. I gave you
righteousness but you sought from me
only ill. If you are wise you will be
saved from me. Why hate that from which
you ve been saved? God has given me
to you as a thoroughfare - why do you
loiter along the way? You are a branch
of the tree God planted for your sake -
if you grow up crooked, you will end up
in the fireplace - grow straight
and you will be saved. Yes, crookedness
will land you in the flames, and no one
will ask if you were almond or pistachio.
You are the arrow of God to His enemies -
why have cut yourself on your own point?
You yourself have gone astray from deliverance -
why complain to me that you have lost
and cannot find the way again?
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