¹⁸ How often are they like straw before the wind,
    like chaff^(A) swept away^(B) by a gale?^(C)

⁴ Not so the wicked!
    They are like chaff^(A)
    that the wind blows away.

⁵ May they be like chaff^(A) before the wind,
    with the angel of the Lord^(B) driving them away;

²⁴ Therefore, as tongues of fire^(A) lick up straw^(B)
    and as dry grass sinks down in the flames,
so their roots will decay^(C)
    and their flowers blow away like dust;^(D)
for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty
    and spurned the word^(E) of the Holy One^(F) of Israel.

¹³ Although the peoples roar^(A) like the roar of surging waters,
    when he rebukes^(B) them they flee^(C) far away,
driven before the wind like chaff^(D) on the hills,
    like tumbleweed before a gale.^(E)