12 You will be in the right, O Lord,
    when I lay charges against you,
    but let me put my case to you.
Why does the way of the guilty prosper?
    Why do all who are treacherous thrive?^(A)

¹⁷ Why, O Lord, do you let us stray from your ways
    and let our heart harden, so that we do not fear you?
Turn back for the sake of your servants,
    the tribes that are your heritage.^(A)

³ One’s own folly leads to ruin,
    yet the heart rages against the Lord.^(A)

¹² Why then have you broken down its walls,
    so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?^(A)