⁸ The grass withers and the flowers^(A) fall,
    but the word^(B) of our God endures^(C) forever.^(D)”

¹⁵ Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
    they are regarded as dust on the scales;^(A)
    he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.^(B)

¹⁷ Before him all the nations^(A) are as nothing;^(B)
    they are regarded by him as worthless
    and less than nothing.^(C)

²³ He brings princes^(A) to naught
    and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.^(B)

²⁴ No sooner are they planted,
    no sooner are they sown,
    no sooner do they take root^(A) in the ground,
than he blows^(B) on them and they wither,^(C)
    and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.^(D)