³ Defend the weak and the fatherless;^(A)
    uphold the cause of the poor^(B) and the oppressed.

¹⁶ He defended the cause of the poor and needy,^(A)
    and so all went well.
Is that not what it means to know^(B) me?”
    declares the Lord.

¹⁸ defending the fatherless^(A) and the oppressed,^(B)
    so that mere earthly mortals
    will never again strike terror.

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)

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)

¹⁷ Learn to do right;^(A) seek justice.^(B)
    Defend the oppressed.^[a](C)
Take up the cause of the fatherless;^(D)
    plead the case of the widow.^(E)