⁹ Hear this, you leaders of Jacob,
    you rulers of Israel,
who despise justice
    and distort all that is right;^(A)

²³ Your rulers are rebels,^(A)
    partners with thieves;^(B)
they all love bribes^(C)
    and chase after gifts.
They do not defend the cause of the fatherless;
    the widow’s case does not come before them.^(D)

“Listen, you leaders^(A) of Jacob,
    you rulers of Israel.
Should you not embrace justice,

²⁸     and have grown fat^(A) and sleek.
Their evil deeds have no limit;
    they do not seek justice.
They do not promote the case of the fatherless;^(B)
    they do not defend the just cause of the poor.^(C)

¹⁵ Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent^(A)—
    the Lord detests them both.^(B)