12 ^(A)Righteous are You, O Yahweh, when I would plead my case with You;
Indeed I would ^(B)speak matters of justice with You:
Why has the ^(C)way of the wicked succeeded?
Why are all those who ^(D)deal in treachery complacent?
² You have ^(E)planted them; they have also taken root;
They grow; they have even produced fruit.
You are ^(F)near ^[a]to their lips
But far from their ^[b]inmost being.
³ But You, O Yahweh, You ^(G)know me;
You see me;
And You ^(H)test my heart’s attitude toward You.
Drag them off like sheep for the slaughter
And ^[c]set them apart for a ^(I)day of carnage!
⁴ How long is the ^(J)land to mourn
And the ^(K)plants of every field to dry up?
Because of the ^(L)evil of those who inhabit it,
^(M)Animals and birds have been swept away,
Because men have said, “He will not see our latter ^(N)ending.”