²⁷ Had I not feared the provocation by the enemy,
That their adversaries would misjudge,
That they would say, “^(A)Our hand is ^[a]triumphant,
And the Lord has not performed all this.”’

²⁸ “^(B)For they are a nation ^[b]destitute of counsel,
And there is no understanding in them.
^29 (C)If only they were wise and they understood this;
^(D)If only they would discern their ^[c]future!