⁴ Therefore the law is powerless,
And justice never goes forth.
For the ^(A)wicked surround the righteous;
Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.

^21 (A)How the faithful city has become a ^[a]harlot!
It was full of justice;
Righteousness lodged in it,
But now ^(B)murderers.
^22 (C)Your silver has become dross,
Your wine mixed with water.
^23 (D)Your princes are rebellious,
And ^(E)companions of thieves;
^(F)Everyone loves bribes,
And follows after rewards.
They ^(G)do not defend the fatherless,
Nor does the cause of the widow come before them.

¹²⁶ It is time for You to act, O Lord,
For they have ^[a]regarded Your law as void.

^7 (A)Why do the wicked live and become old,
Yes, become mighty in power?

12 Righteous ^(A)are You, O Lord, when I plead with You;
Yet let me talk with You about Your judgments.
^(B)Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
Why are those happy who deal so treacherously?

¹² For I ^(A)know your manifold transgressions
And your mighty sins:
^(B)Afflicting the just and taking bribes;
^(C)Diverting the poor from justice at the gate.

⁴ They have spoken words,
Swearing falsely in making a covenant.
Thus judgment springs up ^(A)like hemlock in the furrows of the field.