¹⁰ Day and night they prowl^(A) about on its walls;
    malice and abuse are within it.

¹⁴ They return at evening,
    snarling like dogs,
    and prowl about the city.
¹⁵ They wander about for food^(A)
    and howl if not satisfied.

⁹ So justice is far from us,
    and righteousness does not reach us.
We look for light, but all is darkness;^(I)
    for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.
¹⁰ Like the blind^(J) we grope along the wall,
    feeling our way like people without eyes.
At midday we stumble^(K) as if it were twilight;
    among the strong, we are like the dead.^(L)
11 We all growl like bears;
    we moan mournfully like doves.^(M)
We look for justice, but find none;
    for deliverance, but it is far away.

¹² For our offenses^(N) are many in your sight,
    and our sins testify^(O) against us.
Our offenses are ever with us,
    and we acknowledge our iniquities:^(P)
13 rebellion^(Q) and treachery against the Lord,
    turning our backs^(R) on our God,
inciting revolt and oppression,^(S)
    uttering lies^(T) our hearts have conceived.
¹⁴ So justice^(U) is driven back,
    and righteousness^(V) stands at a distance;
truth^(W) has stumbled in the streets,
    honesty cannot enter.
¹⁵ Truth^(X) is nowhere to be found,
    and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.

The Lord looked and was displeased
    that there was no justice.^(Y)

⁶ Their hearts are like an oven;^(A)
    they approach him with intrigue.
Their passion smolders all night;
    in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire.