COVID-19: did we reap what we’d sown?

² “If one ventures a word with you, will you be impatient?
    Yet who can keep from speaking?
³ Behold, you have instructed many,
    and you have strengthened the weak hands.
⁴ Your words have upheld him who was stumbling,
    and you have made firm the feeble knees.
⁵ But now it has come to you, and you are impatient;
    it touches you, and you are dismayed.
⁶ Is not your fear of God your confidence,
    and the integrity of your ways your hope?

⁷ “Remember: who that was innocent ever perished?
    Or where were the upright cut off?

² “How long will you say these things,
    and the words of your mouth be a great wind?
³ Does God pervert justice?
    Or does the Almighty pervert the right?
⁴ If your children have sinned against him,
    he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression.
⁵ If you will seek God
    and plead with the Almighty for mercy,
⁶ if you are pure and upright,
    surely then he will rouse himself for you
    and restore your rightful habitation.
⁷ And though your beginning was small,
    your latter days will be very great.

¹³ “If you prepare your heart,
    you will stretch out your hands toward him.
¹⁴ If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,
    and let not injustice dwell in your tents.
¹⁵ Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish;
    you will be secure and will not fear.
¹⁶ You will forget your misery;
    you will remember it as waters that have passed away.
¹⁷ And your life will be brighter than the noonday;
    its darkness will be like the morning.
¹⁸ And you will feel secure, because there is hope;
    you will look around and take your rest in security.
¹⁹ You will lie down, and none will make you afraid;
    many will court your favor.
²⁰ But the eyes of the wicked will fail;
    all way of escape will be lost to them,
    and their hope is to breathe their last.”