16 ^aFor I will not contend forever,
Nor will I always be angry;
For the spirit would fail before Me,
And the souls ^bwhich I have made. ‡

17 For the iniquity of ^ahis covetousness
I was angry and struck him;
^bI hid and was angry,
^cAnd he went on¹ backsliding in the way of his heart. ‡

19 “I create ^athe fruit of the lips:
Peace, peace ^bto him who is far off and to him who is near,”
Says the Lord,
“And I will heal him.” ‡

20 ^aBut the wicked are like the troubled sea,
When it cannot rest,
Whose waters cast up mire and dirt. ‡