<style>
#target:before {
    content: "PASS";
    display: run-in;
}
</style>
<p>x</p>
<div id="target">
   <div id="inner"> &lt; this should say still say &ldquo;PASS&rdquo;</div>
</div>
<script>
// Force layout.
document.body.offsetTop;

// Cause a layout of the outer div.
document.getElementById('target').style.color = 'blue';
</script>