All rivers flowing on the earth, as soon as they flow on the earth, they are blessed and good and sweet. There is some benefit to the world through them; (when) they flow into the sea they are bad, cursed, and bitter, and they are of no benefit to the world. Why are they similar to Israel? For when the Israelites rely upon the protection of their Creator and do His will, they are blessed and good and sweet, and there is some benefit to the world through them, and for their sake the world stands. (When) the men of Israel depart from their Creator and trust in the statutes of the nations, they are bad, accursed, and bitter, || and there is no benefit in them for the world.
Just as the waters of the rivers (are) the food of the waters of the sea, so are (the sinners destined to be) fuel for Gehinnom. All the rains that descend into the sea are (as) seed for (all creatures) in them, and thereby the fish are fed.