³⁴ For the godless are barren.
    Their homes, enriched through bribery, will burn.

¹³ The same happens to all who forget God.
    The hopes of the godless evaporate.

¹¹ You trample the poor,
    stealing their grain through taxes and unfair rent.
Therefore, though you build beautiful stone houses,
    you will never live in them.
Though you plant lush vineyards,
    you will never drink wine from them.
¹² For I know the vast number of your sins
    and the depth of your rebellions.
You oppress good people by taking bribes
    and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.

¹⁴ The sinners in Jerusalem shake with fear.
    Terror seizes the godless.
“Who can live with this devouring fire?” they cry.
    “Who can survive this all-consuming fire?”
¹⁵ Those who are honest and fair,
    who refuse to profit by fraud,
    who stay far away from bribes,
who refuse to listen to those who plot murder,
    who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong—

¹³ For the godless are full of resentment.
    Even when he punishes them,
    they refuse to cry out to him for help.

¹² For I assisted the poor in their need
    and the orphans who required help.
¹³ I helped those without hope, and they blessed me.
    And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.
¹⁴ Everything I did was honest.
    Righteousness covered me like a robe,
    and I wore justice like a turban.
¹⁵ I served as eyes for the blind
    and feet for the lame.
¹⁶ I was a father to the poor
    and assisted strangers who needed help.
¹⁷ I broke the jaws of godless oppressors
    and plucked their victims from their teeth.

⁸ For what hope do the godless have when God cuts them off
    and takes away their life?

⁵ No, it’s because of your wickedness!
    There’s no limit to your sins.

⁶ “For example, you must have lent money to your friend
    and demanded clothing as security.
    Yes, you stripped him to the bone.
⁷ You must have refused water for the thirsty
    and food for the hungry.
⁸ You probably think the land belongs to the powerful
    and only the privileged have a right to it!
⁹ You must have sent widows away empty-handed
    and crushed the hopes of orphans.