³ Jerusalem is built like a city
    that is closely compacted together.
⁴ That is where the tribes go up—
    the tribes of the Lord—
to praise the name of the Lord
    according to the statute given to Israel.
⁵ There stand the thrones for judgment,
    the thrones of the house of David.

⁶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
    “May those who love^(A) you be secure.
⁷ May there be peace^(B) within your walls
    and security within your citadels.^(C)”
⁸ For the sake of my family and friends,
    I will say, “Peace be within you.”
⁹ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
    I will seek your prosperity.^(D)

³ Great^(F) is the Lord and most worthy of praise;^(G)
    his greatness no one can fathom.^(H)
4 One generation^(I) commends your works to another;
    they tell^(J) of your mighty acts.^(K)
5 They speak of the glorious splendor^(L) of your majesty—
    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.^[b](M)
6 They tell^(N) of the power of your awesome works—^(O)
    and I will proclaim^(P) your great deeds.^(Q)
7 They celebrate your abundant goodness^(R)
    and joyfully sing^(S) of your righteousness.^(T)

⁸ The Lord is gracious and compassionate,^(U)
    slow to anger and rich in love.^(V)

⁹ The Lord is good^(W) to all;
    he has compassion^(X) on all he has made.
¹⁰ All your works praise you,^(Y) Lord;
    your faithful people extol^(Z) you.^(AA)
11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom^(AB)
    and speak of your might,^(AC)
12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts^(AD)
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.^(AE)
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,^(AF)
    and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is trustworthy^(AG) in all he promises^(AH)
    and faithful in all he does.^[c]
14 The Lord upholds^(AI) all who fall
    and lifts up all^(AJ) who are bowed down.^(AK)
15 The eyes of all look to you,
    and you give them their food^(AL) at the proper time.
¹⁶ You open your hand
    and satisfy the desires^(AM) of every living thing.

¹⁷ The Lord is righteous^(AN) in all his ways
    and faithful in all he does.^(AO)
18 The Lord is near^(AP) to all who call on him,^(AQ)
    to all who call on him in truth.
¹⁹ He fulfills the desires^(AR) of those who fear him;^(AS)
    he hears their cry^(AT) and saves them.^(AU)
20 The Lord watches over^(AV) all who love him,^(AW)
    but all the wicked he will destroy.^(AX)

²¹ My mouth will speak^(AY) in praise of the Lord.
    Let every creature^(AZ) praise his holy name^(BA)
    for ever and ever.

¹⁰ Hear the word of the Lord,^(A)
    you rulers of Sodom;^(B)
listen to the instruction^(C) of our God,
    you people of Gomorrah!^(D)
11 “The multitude of your sacrifices—
    what are they to me?” says the Lord.
“I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
    of rams and the fat of fattened animals;^(E)
I have no pleasure^(F)
    in the blood of bulls^(G) and lambs and goats.^(H)
12 When you come to appear before me,
    who has asked this of you,^(I)
    this trampling of my courts?
¹³ Stop bringing meaningless offerings!^(J)
    Your incense^(K) is detestable^(L) to me.
New Moons,^(M) Sabbaths and convocations^(N)—
    I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
¹⁴ Your New Moon^(O) feasts and your appointed festivals^(P)
    I hate with all my being.^(Q)
They have become a burden to me;^(R)
    I am weary^(S) of bearing them.
¹⁵ When you spread out your hands^(T) in prayer,
    I hide^(U) my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
    I am not listening.^(V)

Your hands^(W) are full of blood!^(X)

¹⁶ Wash^(Y) and make yourselves clean.
    Take your evil deeds out of my sight;^(Z)
    stop doing wrong.^(AA)
17 Learn to do right;^(AB) seek justice.^(AC)
    Defend the oppressed.^[a](AD)
Take up the cause of the fatherless;^(AE)
    plead the case of the widow.^(AF)

¹⁸ “Come now, let us settle the matter,”^(AG)
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;^(AH)
though they are red as crimson,
    they shall be like wool.^(AI)
19 If you are willing and obedient,^(AJ)
    you will eat the good things of the land;^(AK)
20 but if you resist and rebel,^(AL)
    you will be devoured by the sword.”^(AM)
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.^(AN)