They are a nation devoid of wisdom, and there is no understanding among them.

“I looked at the land and saw ¹  that it was an empty wasteland. ²  I looked up at the sky, and its light had vanished.

For if they become heirs by the law, faith is empty and the promise is nullified. ¹ 

Now ¹  the earth ²  was without shape and empty, ³  and darkness ⁴  was over the surface of the watery deep, ⁵  but the Spirit of God ⁶  was moving ⁷  over the surface ⁸  of the water. ⁹ 

But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tiny stroke of a letter ¹  in the law to become void. ² 

In this place I will thwart ¹  the plans of the people of Judah and Jerusalem. I will deliver them over to the power of their enemies who are seeking to kill them. They will die by the sword ²  at the hands of their enemies. ³  I will make their dead bodies food for the birds and wild beasts to eat.

But if her husband clearly nullifies ¹  them when he hears them, then whatever she says ²  by way of vows or obligations will not stand. Her husband has made them void, and the Lord will release her from them.

I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of one who lacks wisdom. ¹ 

He spreads out the northern skies ¹  over empty space; ²  he suspends the earth on nothing. ³ 

It is time for the Lord to act – they break your law!

and I saw among the naive – I discerned among the youths ¹  – a young man ²  who lacked wisdom. ³ 

The one who denounces ¹  his neighbor lacks wisdom, ²  but the one who has discernment ³  keeps silent. ⁴ 

The one who lacks wisdom ¹  strikes hands in pledge, ²  and puts up financial security ³  for his neighbor. ⁴ 

He must rededicate ¹  to the Lord the days of his separation and bring a male lamb in its first year as a reparation offering, ²  but the former days will not be counted ³  because his separation ⁴  was defiled.

“Any vow or sworn obligation that would bring affliction to her, ¹  her husband can confirm or nullify. ² 

But if he should nullify them after he has heard them, then he will bear her iniquity.” ¹ 

Thus you nullify ¹  the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like this.”

But if when her husband hears it he overrules her, then he will nullify ¹  the vow she has taken, ²  and whatever she uttered impulsively which she has pledged for herself. And the Lord will release her from it.

In the same way, the promise that I make does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. ¹  No, it is realized as I desire and is fulfilled as I intend.” ² 

But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing these things so that something will be done for me. ¹  In fact, it would be better for me to die than – no one will deprive me of my reason for boasting! ²