12 ¹² For who will say, "What have you done?"
Or will resist your judgment?
Who will accuse you for the destruction of nations which you made?
Or who will come before you to plead as an advocate for unrighteous men?
12 ¹³ For neither is there any god besides you, whose care is for all men,
to whom you should prove that you have not judged unjustly;
12 ¹⁴ nor can any king or monarch confront you about those whom you have punished.
12 ¹⁵ You are righteous and rule all things righteously,
deeming it alien to your power to condemn him
who does not deserve to be punished.
12 ¹⁶ For your strength is the source of righteousness,
and your sovereignty over all causes you to spare all.
12 ¹⁷ For you show your strength when men doubt the completeness of your power,
and rebuke any insolence among those who know it.
12 ¹⁸ You who are sovereign in strength judge with mildness,
and with great forbearance you govern us;
for you have power to act whenever you choose.

12 ¹⁹ Through such works you have taught your people
that the righteous man must be kind,
and you have filled your sons with good hope,
because you give repentance for sins.
12 ²⁰ For if you punished with such great care and indulgence the enemies of your servants and those deserving of death,
granting them time and opportunity to give up their wickedness,
12 ²¹ with what strictness you have judged your sons,
to whose fathers you gave oaths and covenants full of good promises!
12 ²² So while chastening us you scourge our enemies ten thousand times more,
so that we may meditate upon your goodness when we judge,
and when we are judged we may expect mercy.