Add parallel Print Page Options

The Total Corruption of the People

Woe is me! For I have become like one who,
    after the summer fruit has been gathered,
    after the vintage has been gleaned,
finds no cluster to eat;
    there is no first-ripe fig for which I hunger.(A)
The faithful have disappeared from the land,
    and there is no one left who is upright;
they all lie in wait for blood,
    and they hunt each other with nets.(B)
Their hands are skilled to do evil;
    the official and the judge ask for a bribe,
and the powerful dictate what they desire;
    thus they pervert justice.[a](C)
The best of them is like a brier,
    the most upright of them a thorn hedge.
The day of their[b] sentinels, of their[c] punishment, has come;
    now their confusion is at hand.(D)
Put no trust in a friend;
    have no confidence in a loved one;
guard the doors of your mouth
    from her who lies in your embrace,
for the son treats the father with contempt,
    the daughter rises up against her mother,
the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
    your enemies are members of your own household.(E)
But as for me, I will look to the Lord;
    I will wait for the God of my salvation;
    my God will hear me.(F)

Penitence and Trust in God

Do not rejoice over me, my enemies;[d]
    when I fall, I shall rise;
when I sit in darkness,
    the Lord will be a light to me.(G)
I must bear the indignation of the Lord
    because I have sinned against him,
until he takes my side
    and executes judgment for me.
He will bring me out to the light;
    I shall see his vindication.(H)
10 Then my enemies[e] will see,
    and shame will cover those[f] who said to me,
    “Where is the Lord your God?”
My eyes will see their[g] downfall;[h]
    now they[i] will be trodden down
    like the mire of the streets.(I)

A Prophecy of Restoration

11 A day for the building of your walls!
    On that day the boundary shall be far extended.(J)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 7.3 Cn: Heb they weave it
  2. 7.4 Heb your
  3. 7.4 Heb your
  4. 7.8 Heb enemy
  5. 7.10 Heb enemy
  6. 7.10 Heb she
  7. 7.10 Heb her
  8. 7.10 Heb lacks downfall
  9. 7.10 Heb she

The Meaning of Faith

11 Now faith is the assurance[a] of things hoped for, the conviction[b] of things not seen.(A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 11.1 Or reality
  2. 11.1 Or evidence