God’s Loving Protection of the Pious in the Day of Judgment (3:13-4:3).

        Since the disloyal element in the people exists and per­sists (3:13ff), there must be judgment. But the loyal have been noted (3:16) and in the day of judgment they will be preserved (3:17), so that the difference between the two parties will be clearly seen. The result of judgment will be the triumph of the righteous (4:2f).