36:1Elihu also continued, and said, 36:2“Bear with me a little, and I will show you; for I still have something to say on God’s behalf. 36:3I will get my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. 36:4For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you. 36:5“Behold, God is mighty, and doesn’t despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding. 36:6He doesn’t preserve the life of the wicked, but gives to the afflicted their right. 36:7He doesn’t withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne, he sets them forever, and they are exalted. 36:8If they are bound in fetters, and are taken in the cords of afflictions, 36:9then he shows them their work, and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly. 36:10He also opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they return from iniquity. 36:11If they listen and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. 36:12But if they don’t listen, they shall perish by the sword; they shall die without knowledge. 36:13“But those who are godless in heart lay up anger. They don’t cry for help when he binds them. 36:14They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean. 36:15He delivers the afflicted by their affliction, and opens their ear in oppression. 36:16Yes, he would have allured you out of distress, into a wide place, where there is no restriction. That which is set on your table would be full of fatness. 36:17“But you are full of the judgment of the wicked. Judgment and justice take hold of you. 36:18Don’t let riches entice you to wrath, neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside. 36:19Would your wealth sustain you in distress, or all the might of your strength? 36:20Don’t desire the night, when people are cut off in their place. 36:21Take heed, don’t regard iniquity; for you have chosen this rather than affliction. 36:22Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? 36:23Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, ‘You have committed unrighteousness?’ 36:24“Remember that you magnify his work, whereof men have sung. 36:25All men have looked on it. Man sees it afar off. 36:26Behold, God is great, and we don’t know him. The number of his years is unsearchable. 36:27For he draws up the drops of water, which distill in rain from his vapor, 36:28Which the skies pour down and which drop on man abundantly. 36:29Yes, can any understand the spreading of the clouds, and the thunderings of his pavilion? 36:30Behold, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea. 36:31For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance. 36:32He covers his hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark. 36:33Its noise tells about him, and the livestock also concerning the storm that comes up.
37:1“Yes, at this my heart trembles, and is moved out of its place. 37:2Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, the sound that goes out of his mouth. 37:3He sends it out under the whole sky, and his lightning to the ends of the earth. 37:4After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of his majesty. He doesn’t hold back anything when his voice is heard. 37:5God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can’t comprehend. 37:6For he says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth;’ likewise to the shower of rain, and to the showers of his mighty rain. 37:7He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it. 37:8Then the animals take cover, and remain in their dens. 37:9Out of its room comes the storm, and cold out of the north. 37:10By the breath of God, ice is given, and the width of the waters is frozen. 37:11Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning. 37:12It is turned around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them on the surface of the habitable world, 37:13Whether it is for correction, or for his land, or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come. 37:14“Listen to this, Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. 37:15Do you know how God controls them, and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine? 37:16Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge? 37:17You whose clothing is warm, when the earth is still by reason of the south wind? 37:18Can you, with him, spread out the sky, which is strong as a cast metal mirror? 37:19Teach us what we shall tell him, for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness. 37:20Will it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up? 37:21Now men don’t see the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes, and clears them. 37:22Out of the north comes golden splendor. With God is awesome majesty. 37:23We can’t reach the Almighty. He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress. 37:24Therefore men revere him. He doesn’t regard any who are wise of heart.”
38:1Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind, 38:2“Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 38:3Brace yourself like a man, for I will question you, then you answer me! 38:4“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding. 38:5Who determined its measures, if you know? Or who stretched the line on it? 38:6Whereupon were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, 38:7when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 38:8“Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke out of the womb, 38:9when I made clouds its garment, and wrapped it in thick darkness, 38:10marked out for it my bound, set bars and doors, 38:11and said, ‘Here you may come, but no further. Here your proud waves shall be stayed?’ 38:12“Have you commanded the morning in your days, and caused the dawn to know its place; 38:13that it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and shake the wicked out of it? 38:14It is changed as clay under the seal, and presented as a garment. 38:15From the wicked, their light is withheld. The high arm is broken. 38:16“Have you entered into the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in the recesses of the deep? 38:17Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? 38:18Have you comprehended the earth in its width? Declare, if you know it all. 38:19“What is the way to the dwelling of light? As for darkness, where is its place, 38:20that you should take it to its bound, that you should discern the paths to its house? 38:21Surely you know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great! 38:22Have you entered the treasuries of the snow, or have you seen the treasures of the hail, 38:23which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? 38:24By what way is the lightning distributed, or the east wind scattered on the earth? 38:25Who has cut a channel for the flood water, or the path for the thunderstorm; 38:26To cause it to rain on a land where no man is; on the wilderness, in which there is no man; 38:27to satisfy the waste and desolate ground, to cause the tender grass to grow? 38:28Does the rain have a father? Or who fathers the drops of dew? 38:29Out of whose womb came the ice? The gray frost of the sky, who has given birth to it? 38:30The waters become hard like stone, when the surface of the deep is frozen. 38:31“Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loosen the cords of Orion? 38:32Can you lead the constellations out in their season? Or can you guide the Bear with her cubs? 38:33Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you establish its dominion over the earth? 38:34“Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, That abundance of waters may cover you? 38:35Can you send out lightnings, that they may go? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are?’ 38:36Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who has given understanding to the mind? 38:37Who can count the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the bottles of the sky, 38:38when the dust runs into a mass, and the clods of earth stick together? 38:39“Can you hunt the prey for the lioness, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, 38:40when they crouch in their dens, and lie in wait in the thicket? 38:41Who provides for the raven his prey, when his young ones cry to God, and wander for lack of food?
39:1“Do you know the time when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears fawns? 39:2Can you count the months that they fulfill? Or do you know the time when they give birth? 39:3They bow themselves, they bear their young. They end their labor pains. 39:4Their young ones become strong. They grow up in the open field. They go out, and don’t return again. 39:5“Who has set the wild donkey free? Or who has loosened the bonds of the swift donkey, 39:6Whose home I have made the wilderness, and the salt land his dwelling place? 39:7He scorns the tumult of the city, neither does he hear the shouting of the driver. 39:8The range of the mountains is his pasture, He searches after every green thing. 39:9“Will the wild ox be content to serve you? Or will he stay by your feeding trough? 39:10Can you hold the wild ox in the furrow with his harness? Or will he till the valleys after you? 39:11Will you trust him, because his strength is great? Or will you leave to him your labor? 39:12Will you confide in him, that he will bring home your seed, and gather the grain of your threshing floor? 39:13“The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; but are they the feathers and plumage of love? 39:14For she leaves her eggs on the earth, warms them in the dust, 39:15and forgets that the foot may crush them, or that the wild animal may trample them. 39:16She deals harshly with her young ones, as if they were not hers. Though her labor is in vain, she is without fear, 39:17because God has deprived her of wisdom, neither has he imparted to her understanding. 39:18When she lifts up herself on high, she scorns the horse and his rider. 39:19“Have you given the horse might? Have you clothed his neck with a quivering mane? 39:20Have you made him to leap as a locust? The glory of his snorting is awesome. 39:21He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength. He goes out to meet the armed men. 39:22He mocks at fear, and is not dismayed, neither does he turn back from the sword. 39:23The quiver rattles against him, the flashing spear and the javelin. 39:24He eats up the ground with fierceness and rage, neither does he stand still at the sound of the trumpet. 39:25As often as the trumpet sounds he snorts, ‘Aha!’ He smells the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting. 39:26“Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, and stretches her wings toward the south? 39:27Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up, and makes his nest on high? 39:28On the cliff he dwells, and makes his home, on the point of the cliff, and the stronghold. 39:29From there he spies out the prey. His eyes see it afar off. 39:30His young ones also suck up blood. Where the slain are, there he is.”
40:1Moreover Yahweh answered Job, 40:2“Shall he who argues contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.” 40:3Then Job answered Yahweh, 40:4“Behold, I am of small account. What shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. 40:5I have spoken once, and I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.” 40:6Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind, 40:7“Now brace yourself like a man. I will question you, and you will answer me. 40:8Will you even annul my judgment? Will you condemn me, that you may be justified? 40:9Or do you have an arm like God? Can you thunder with a voice like him? 40:10“Now deck yourself with excellency and dignity. Array yourself with honor and majesty. 40:11Pour out the fury of your anger. Look at everyone who is proud, and bring him low. 40:12Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him. Crush the wicked in their place. 40:13Hide them in the dust together. Bind their faces in the hidden place. 40:14Then I will also admit to you that your own right hand can save you. 40:15“See now, behemoth, which I made as well as you. He eats grass as an ox. 40:16Look now, his strength is in his thighs. His force is in the muscles of his belly. 40:17He moves his tail like a cedar. The sinews of his thighs are knit together. 40:18His bones are like tubes of brass. His limbs are like bars of iron. 40:19He is the chief of the ways of God. He who made him gives him his sword. 40:20Surely the mountains produce food for him, where all the animals of the field play. 40:21He lies under the lotus trees, in the covert of the reed, and the marsh. 40:22The lotuses cover him with their shade. The willows of the brook surround him. 40:23Behold, if a river overflows, he doesn’t tremble. He is confident, though the Jordan swells even to his mouth. 40:24Shall any take him when he is on the watch, or pierce through his nose with a snare?
41:1“Can you draw out Leviathan with a fish hook, or press down his tongue with a cord? 41:2Can you put a rope into his nose, or pierce his jaw through with a hook? 41:3Will he make many petitions to you, or will he speak soft words to you? 41:4Will he make a covenant with you, that you should take him for a servant forever? 41:5Will you play with him as with a bird? Or will you bind him for your girls? 41:6Will traders barter for him? Will they part him among the merchants? 41:7Can you fill his skin with barbed irons, or his head with fish spears? 41:8Lay your hand on him. Remember the battle, and do so no more. 41:9Behold, the hope of him is in vain. Won’t one be cast down even at the sight of him? 41:10None is so fierce that he dare stir him up. Who then is he who can stand before me? 41:11Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Everything under the heavens is mine. 41:12“I will not keep silence concerning his limbs, nor his mighty strength, nor his goodly frame. 41:13Who can strip off his outer garment? Who shall come within his jaws? 41:14Who can open the doors of his face? Around his teeth is terror. 41:15Strong scales are his pride, shut up together with a close seal. 41:16One is so near to another, that no air can come between them. 41:17They are joined to one another. They stick together, so that they can’t be pulled apart. 41:18His sneezing flashes out light. His eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. 41:19Out of his mouth go burning torches. Sparks of fire leap out. 41:20Out of his nostrils a smoke goes, as of a boiling pot over a fire of reeds. 41:21His breath kindles coals. A flame goes out of his mouth. 41:22There is strength in his neck. Terror dances before him. 41:23The flakes of his flesh are joined together. They are firm on him. They can’t be moved. 41:24His heart is as firm as a stone, yes, firm as the lower millstone. 41:25When he raises himself up, the mighty are afraid. They retreat before his thrashing. 41:26If one attacks him with the sword, it can’t prevail; nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft. 41:27He counts iron as straw; and brass as rotten wood. 41:28The arrow can’t make him flee. Sling stones are like chaff to him. 41:29Clubs are counted as stubble. He laughs at the rushing of the javelin. 41:30His undersides are like sharp potsherds, leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge. 41:31He makes the deep to boil like a pot. He makes the sea like a pot of ointment. 41:32He makes a path shine after him. One would think the deep had white hair. 41:33On earth there is not his equal, that is made without fear. 41:34He sees everything that is high. He is king over all the sons of pride.”
42:1Then Job answered Yahweh, 42:2“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be restrained. 42:3You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ therefore I have uttered that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I didn’t know. 42:4You said, ‘Listen, now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.’ 42:5I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you. 42:6Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” 42:7It was so, that after Yahweh had spoken these words to Job, Yahweh said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you, and against your two friends; for you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has. 42:8Now therefore, take to yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept him, that I not deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has.” 42:9So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did what Yahweh commanded them, and Yahweh accepted Job. 42:10Yahweh turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends. Yahweh gave Job twice as much as he had before. 42:11Then came there to him all his brothers, and all his sisters, and all those who had been of his acquaintance before, and ate bread with him in his house. They comforted him, and consoled him concerning all the evil that Yahweh had brought on him. Everyone also gave him a piece of money, and everyone a ring of gold. 42:12So Yahweh blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand female donkeys. 42:13He had also seven sons and three daughters. 42:14He called the name of the first, Jemimah; and the name of the second, Keziah; and the name of the third, Keren Happuch. 42:15In all the land were no women found so beautiful as the daughters of Job. Their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. 42:16After this Job lived one hundred forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, to four generations. 42:17So Job died, being old and full of days.
Psalms
1:1Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; 1:2but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he meditates day and night. 1:3He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper. 1:4The wicked are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 1:5Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 1:6For Yahweh knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.
2:1Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? 2:2The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his Anointed, saying, 2:3“Let’s break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us.” 2:4He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision. 2:5Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath: 2:6“Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.” 2:7I will tell of the decree. Yahweh said to me, “You are my son. Today I have become your father. 2:8Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession. 2:9You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” 2:10Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth. 2:11Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 2:12Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish on the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.
3:1Yahweh, how my adversaries have increased! Many are those who rise up against me. 3:2Many there are who say of my soul, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah. 3:3But you, Yahweh, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. 3:4I cry to Yahweh with my voice, and he answers me out of his holy hill. Selah. 3:5I laid myself down and slept. I awakened; for Yahweh sustains me. 3:6I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who have set themselves against me on every side. 3:7Arise, Yahweh! Save me, my God! For you have struck all of my enemies on the cheek bone. You have broken the teeth of the wicked. 3:8Salvation belongs to Yahweh. Your blessing be on your people. Selah.
4:1Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness. Give me relief from my distress. Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. 4:2You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Will you love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah. 4:3But know that Yahweh has set apart for himself him who is godly: Yahweh will hear when I call to him. 4:4Stand in awe, and don’t sin. Search your own heart on your bed, and be still. Selah. 4:5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness. Put your trust in Yahweh. 4:6Many say, “Who will show us any good?” Yahweh, let the light of your face shine on us. 4:7You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and their new wine are increased. 4:8In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, for you, Yahweh alone, make me live in safety.
5:1Give ear to my words, Yahweh. Consider my meditation. 5:2Listen to the voice of my cry, my King and my God; for to you do I pray. 5:3Yahweh, in the morning you shall hear my voice. In the morning I will lay my requests before you, and will watch expectantly. 5:4For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil can’t live with you. 5:5The arrogant shall not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity. 5:6You will destroy those who speak lies. Yahweh abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. 5:7But as for me, in the abundance of your loving kindness I will come into your house. I will bow toward your holy temple in reverence of you. 5:8Lead me, Yahweh, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before my face. 5:9For there is no faithfulness in their mouth. Their heart is destruction. Their throat is an open tomb. They flatter with their tongue. 5:10Hold them guilty, God. Let them fall by their own counsels; Thrust them out in the multitude of their transgressions, for they have rebelled against you. 5:11But let all those who take refuge in you rejoice, Let them always shout for joy, because you defend them. Let them also who love your name be joyful in you. 5:12For you will bless the righteous. Yahweh, you will surround him with favor as with a shield.
6:1Yahweh, don’t rebuke me in your anger, neither discipline me in your wrath. 6:2Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am faint. Yahweh, heal me, for my bones are troubled. 6:3My soul is also in great anguish. But you, Yahweh—how long? 6:4Return, Yahweh. Deliver my soul, and save me for your loving kindness’ sake. 6:5For in death there is no memory of you. In Sheol, who shall give you thanks? 6:6I am weary with my groaning. Every night I flood my bed. I drench my couch with my tears. 6:7My eye wastes away because of grief. It grows old because of all my adversaries. 6:8Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for Yahweh has heard the voice of my weeping. 6:9Yahweh has heard my supplication. Yahweh accepts my prayer. 6:10May all my enemies be ashamed and dismayed. They shall turn back, they shall be disgraced suddenly.
7:1Yahweh, my God, I take refuge in you. Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me, 7:2lest they tear apart my soul like a lion, ripping it in pieces, while there is no one to deliver. 7:3Yahweh, my God, if I have done this, if there is iniquity in my hands, 7:4if I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me (yes, I have delivered him who without cause was my adversary), 7:5let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it; yes, let him tread my life down to the earth, and lay my glory in the dust. Selah. 7:6Arise, Yahweh, in your anger. Lift up yourself against the rage of my adversaries. Awake for me. You have commanded judgment. 7:7Let the congregation of the peoples surround you. Rule over them on high. 7:8Yahweh administers judgment to the peoples. Judge me, Yahweh, according to my righteousness, and to my integrity that is in me. 7:9Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; their minds and hearts are searched by the righteous God. 7:10My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. 7:11God is a righteous judge, yes, a God who has indignation every day. 7:12If a man doesn’t relent, he will sharpen his sword; he has bent and strung his bow. 7:13He has also prepared for himself the instruments of death. He makes ready his flaming arrows. 7:14Behold, he travails with iniquity. Yes, he has conceived mischief, and brought out falsehood. 7:15He has dug a hole, and has fallen into the pit which he made. 7:16The trouble he causes shall return to his own head. His violence shall come down on the crown of his own head. 7:17I will give thanks to Yahweh according to his righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of Yahweh Most High.
8:1Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth, who has set your glory above the heavens! 8:2From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength, because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger. 8:3When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; 8:4what is man, that you think of him? What is the son of man, that you care for him? 8:5For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor. 8:6You make him ruler over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet: 8:7All sheep and cattle, yes, and the animals of the field, 8:8The birds of the sky, the fish of the sea, and whatever passes through the paths of the seas. 8:9Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
9:1I will give thanks to Yahweh with my whole heart. I will tell of all your marvelous works. 9:2I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. 9:3When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish in your presence. 9:4For you have maintained my just cause. You sit on the throne judging righteously. 9:5You have rebuked the nations. You have destroyed the wicked. You have blotted out their name forever and ever. 9:6The enemy is overtaken by endless ruin. The very memory of the cities which you have overthrown has perished. 9:7But Yahweh reigns forever. He has prepared his throne for judgment. 9:8He will judge the world in righteousness. He will administer judgment to the peoples in uprightness. 9:9Yahweh will also be a high tower for the oppressed; a high tower in times of trouble. 9:10Those who know your name will put their trust in you, for you, Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek you. 9:11Sing praises to Yahweh, who dwells in Zion, and declare among the people what he has done. 9:12For he who avenges blood remembers them. He doesn’t forget the cry of the afflicted. 9:13Have mercy on me, Yahweh. See my affliction by those who hate me, and lift me up from the gates of death; 9:14that I may show all of your praise. In the gates of the daughter of Zion, I will rejoice in your salvation. 9:15The nations have sunk down in the pit that they made. In the net which they hid, their own foot is taken. 9:16Yahweh has made himself known. He has executed judgment. The wicked is snared by the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah. 9:17The wicked shall be turned back to Sheol, even all the nations that forget God. 9:18For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever. 9:19Arise, Yahweh! Don’t let man prevail. Let the nations be judged in your sight. 9:20Put them in fear, Yahweh. Let the nations know that they are only men. Selah.
10:1Why do you stand far off, Yahweh? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 10:2In arrogance, the wicked hunt down the weak. They are caught in the schemes that they devise. 10:3For the wicked boasts of his heart’s cravings. He blesses the greedy, and condemns Yahweh. 10:4The wicked, in the pride of his face, has no room in his thoughts for God. 10:5His ways are prosperous at all times. He is haughty, and your laws are far from his sight. As for all his adversaries, he sneers at them. 10:6He says in his heart, “I shall not be shaken. For generations I shall have no trouble.” 10:7His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity. 10:8He lies in wait near the villages. From ambushes, he murders the innocent. His eyes are secretly set against the helpless. 10:9He lurks in secret as a lion in his ambush. He lies in wait to catch the helpless. He catches the helpless, when he draws him in his net. 10:10The helpless are crushed. They collapse. They fall under his strength. 10:11He says in his heart, “God has forgotten. He hides his face. He will never see it.” 10:12Arise, Yahweh! God, lift up your hand! Don’t forget the helpless. 10:13Why does the wicked person condemn God, and say in his heart, “God won’t call me into account?” 10:14But you do see trouble and grief. You consider it to take it into your hand. You help the victim and the fatherless. 10:15Break the arm of the wicked. As for the evil man, seek out his wickedness until you find none. 10:16Yahweh is King forever and ever! The nations will perish out of his land. 10:17Yahweh, you have heard the desire of the humble. You will prepare their heart. You will cause your ear to hear, 10:18to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that man who is of the earth may terrify no more.
11:1In Yahweh, I take refuge. How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain!” 11:2For, behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrows on the strings, that they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart. 11:3If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? 11:4Yahweh is in his holy temple. Yahweh is on his throne in heaven. His eyes observe. His eyes examine the children of men. 11:5Yahweh examines the righteous, but the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates. 11:6On the wicked he will rain blazing coals; fire, sulfur, and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. 11:7For Yahweh is righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright shall see his face.
12:1Help, Yahweh; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from among the children of men. 12:2Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart. 12:3May Yahweh cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts, 12:4who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?” 12:5“Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says Yahweh; “I will set him in safety from those who malign him.” 12:6Yahweh’s words are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times. 12:7You will keep them, Yahweh. You will preserve them from this generation forever. 12:8The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted among the sons of men.