⁷ Many useless [1:2] ·promises [or words] are like so many dreams; they mean nothing. You should ·respect [or be afraid of; 5:7; 7:18; 8:12, 13] God.

Officers Cheat Each Other

⁸ In some places you will see poor people ·mistreated [oppressed]. Don’t be surprised when they are ·not treated fairly [deprived/^Lrobbed of justice] or ·given their rights [righteousness]. One ·officer [official; ^Lhigher-up] ·is cheated by [or watches out for] a higher ·officer [official] ·who in turn is cheated by even higher officers [^Land there are officials/higher-ups over them]. ⁹ The ·wealth of the country [profit of the land] is ·divided up among them [^Ltaken by] all. Even the king ·makes sure he gets his share of the profits [^Lbenefits from the field].