²⁰ “Announce this to the descendants of Jacob
    and proclaim^(A) it in Judah:
²¹ Hear this, you foolish and senseless people,^(B)
    who have eyes^(C) but do not see,
    who have ears but do not hear:^(D)
22 Should you not fear^(E) me?” declares the Lord.
    “Should you not tremble^(F) in my presence?
I made the sand a boundary for the sea,^(G)
    an everlasting barrier it cannot cross.
The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail;
    they may roar,^(H) but they cannot cross it.
²³ But these people have stubborn and rebellious^(I) hearts;
    they have turned aside^(J) and gone away.
²⁴ They do not say to themselves,
    ‘Let us fear^(K) the Lord our God,
who gives autumn and spring rains^(L) in season,
    who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’^(M)
25 Your wrongdoings have kept these away;
    your sins have deprived you of good.^(N)

²⁶ “Among my people are the wicked^(O)
    who lie in wait^(P) like men who snare birds
    and like those who set traps^(Q) to catch people.
²⁷ Like cages full of birds,
    their houses are full of deceit;^(R)
they have become rich^(S) and powerful
²⁸     and have grown fat^(T) and sleek.
Their evil deeds have no limit;
    they do not seek justice.
They do not promote the case of the fatherless;^(U)
    they do not defend the just cause of the poor.^(V)
29 Should I not punish them for this?”
    declares the Lord.
“Should I not avenge^(W) myself
    on such a nation as this?

³⁰ “A horrible^(X) and shocking thing
    has happened in the land:
³¹ The prophets prophesy lies,^(Y)
    the priests^(Z) rule by their own authority,
and my people love it this way.
    But what will you do in the end?^(AA)

² You say, “I choose the appointed time;^(C)
    it is I who judge with equity.^(D)
3 When the earth and all its people quake,^(E)
    it is I who hold its pillars^(F) firm.^[b]
4 To the arrogant^(G) I say, ‘Boast no more,’^(H)
    and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.^[c](I)
5 Do not lift your horns against heaven;
    do not speak so defiantly.^(J)’”

⁶ No one from the east or the west
    or from the desert can exalt themselves.
⁷ It is God who judges:^(K)
    He brings one down, he exalts another.^(L)
8 In the hand of the Lord is a cup
    full of foaming wine mixed^(M) with spices;
he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth
    drink it down to its very dregs.^(N)

⁹ As for me, I will declare^(O) this forever;
    I will sing^(P) praise to the God of Jacob,^(Q)
10 who says, “I will cut off the horns of all the wicked,
    but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.”^(R)

⁴ You are radiant with light,^(F)
    more majestic than mountains rich with game.
⁵ The valiant^(G) lie plundered,
    they sleep their last sleep;^(H)
not one of the warriors
    can lift his hands.
⁶ At your rebuke,^(I) God of Jacob,
    both horse and chariot^(J) lie still.

⁷ It is you alone who are to be feared.^(K)
    Who can stand^(L) before you when you are angry?^(M)
8 From heaven you pronounced judgment,
    and the land feared^(N) and was quiet—
⁹ when you, God, rose up to judge,^(O)
    to save all the afflicted^(P) of the land.
¹⁰ Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise,^(Q)
    and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.^[c]

¹¹ Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them;^(R)
    let all the neighboring lands
    bring gifts^(S) to the One to be feared.
¹² He breaks the spirit of rulers;
    he is feared by the kings of the earth.