11 The Lord detests dishonest scales,^(A)
    but accurate weights find favor with him.^(B)

² When pride comes, then comes disgrace,^(C)
    but with humility comes wisdom.^(D)

³ The integrity of the upright guides them,
    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.^(E)

⁴ Wealth^(F) is worthless in the day of wrath,^(G)
    but righteousness delivers from death.^(H)

⁵ The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,^(I)
    but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.^(J)

⁶ The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.^(K)

⁷ Hopes placed in mortals die with them;^(L)
    all the promise of^[a] their power comes to nothing.^(M)

⁸ The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.^(N)

⁹ With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.^(O)

¹⁰ When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;^(P)
    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.^(Q)

¹¹ Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,^(R)
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.^(S)

¹² Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,^(T)
    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.^(U)

¹³ A gossip betrays a confidence,^(V)
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.^(W)

¹⁴ For lack of guidance a nation falls,^(X)
    but victory is won through many advisers.^(Y)

¹⁵ Whoever puts up security^(Z) for a stranger will surely suffer,
    but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.^(AA)

¹⁶ A kindhearted woman gains honor,^(AB)
    but ruthless men gain only wealth.

¹⁷ Those who are kind benefit themselves,
    but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

¹⁸ A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
    but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.^(AC)

¹⁹ Truly the righteous attain life,^(AD)
    but whoever pursues evil finds death.^(AE)

²⁰ The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,^(AF)
    but he delights^(AG) in those whose ways are blameless.^(AH)

²¹ Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
    but those who are righteous will go free.^(AI)

²² Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
    is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

²³ The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
    but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

²⁴ One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

²⁵ A generous^(AJ) person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.^(AK)

²⁶ People curse the one who hoards grain,
    but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

²⁷ Whoever seeks good finds favor,
    but evil comes to one who searches for it.^(AL)

²⁸ Those who trust in their riches will fall,^(AM)
    but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.^(AN)

²⁹ Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.^(AO)

³⁰ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,^(AP)
    and the one who is wise saves lives.

³¹ If the righteous receive their due^(AQ) on earth,
    how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

² Let the redeemed^(C) of the Lord tell their story—
    those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
³ those he gathered^(D) from the lands,
    from east and west, from north and south.^[a]

⁴ Some wandered in desert^(E) wastelands,
    finding no way to a city^(F) where they could settle.
⁵ They were hungry^(G) and thirsty,^(H)
    and their lives ebbed away.
⁶ Then they cried out^(I) to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
⁷ He led them by a straight way^(J)
    to a city^(K) where they could settle.
⁸ Let them give thanks^(L) to the Lord for his unfailing love^(M)
    and his wonderful deeds^(N) for mankind,
⁹ for he satisfies^(O) the thirsty
    and fills the hungry with good things.^(P)

¹⁰ Some sat in darkness,^(Q) in utter darkness,
    prisoners suffering^(R) in iron chains,^(S)
11 because they rebelled^(T) against God’s commands
    and despised^(U) the plans^(V) of the Most High.
¹² So he subjected them to bitter labor;
    they stumbled, and there was no one to help.^(W)
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he saved them^(X) from their distress.
¹⁴ He brought them out of darkness,^(Y) the utter darkness,^(Z)
    and broke away their chains.^(AA)
15 Let them give thanks^(AB) to the Lord for his unfailing love^(AC)
    and his wonderful deeds^(AD) for mankind,
¹⁶ for he breaks down gates of bronze
    and cuts through bars of iron.

¹⁷ Some became fools^(AE) through their rebellious ways^(AF)
    and suffered affliction^(AG) because of their iniquities.
¹⁸ They loathed all food^(AH)
    and drew near the gates of death.^(AI)
19 Then they cried^(AJ) to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he saved them^(AK) from their distress.
²⁰ He sent out his word^(AL) and healed them;^(AM)
    he rescued^(AN) them from the grave.^(AO)
21 Let them give thanks^(AP) to the Lord for his unfailing love^(AQ)
    and his wonderful deeds^(AR) for mankind.
²² Let them sacrifice thank offerings^(AS)
    and tell of his works^(AT) with songs of joy.^(AU)

²³ Some went out on the sea^(AV) in ships;^(AW)
    they were merchants on the mighty waters.
²⁴ They saw the works of the Lord,^(AX)
    his wonderful deeds in the deep.
²⁵ For he spoke^(AY) and stirred up a tempest^(AZ)
    that lifted high the waves.^(BA)
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
    in their peril^(BB) their courage melted^(BC) away.
²⁷ They reeled^(BD) and staggered like drunkards;
    they were at their wits’ end.
²⁸ Then they cried^(BE) out to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he brought them out of their distress.^(BF)
29 He stilled the storm^(BG) to a whisper;
    the waves^(BH) of the sea^[b] were hushed.^(BI)
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
    and he guided them^(BJ) to their desired haven.
³¹ Let them give thanks^(BK) to the Lord for his unfailing love^(BL)
    and his wonderful deeds^(BM) for mankind.
³² Let them exalt^(BN) him in the assembly^(BO) of the people
    and praise him in the council of the elders.

³³ He turned rivers into a desert,^(BP)
    flowing springs^(BQ) into thirsty ground,
³⁴ and fruitful land into a salt waste,^(BR)
    because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
³⁵ He turned the desert into pools of water^(BS)
    and the parched ground into flowing springs;^(BT)
36 there he brought the hungry to live,
    and they founded a city where they could settle.
³⁷ They sowed fields and planted vineyards^(BU)
    that yielded a fruitful harvest;
³⁸ he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,^(BV)
    and he did not let their herds diminish.^(BW)

³⁹ Then their numbers decreased,^(BX) and they were humbled^(BY)
    by oppression, calamity and sorrow;
⁴⁰ he who pours contempt on nobles^(BZ)
    made them wander in a trackless waste.^(CA)
41 But he lifted the needy^(CB) out of their affliction
    and increased their families like flocks.^(CC)
42 The upright see and rejoice,^(CD)
    but all the wicked shut their mouths.^(CE)

⁴³ Let the one who is wise^(CF) heed these things
    and ponder the loving deeds^(CG) of the Lord.

⁶ “Because this people has rejected^(K)
    the gently flowing waters of Shiloah^(L)
and rejoices over Rezin
    and the son of Remaliah,^(M)
7 therefore the Lord is about to bring against them
    the mighty floodwaters^(N) of the Euphrates—
    the king of Assyria^(O) with all his pomp.^(P)
It will overflow all its channels,
    run over all its banks^(Q)
8 and sweep on into Judah, swirling over it,^(R)
    passing through it and reaching up to the neck.
Its outspread wings^(S) will cover the breadth of your land,
    Immanuel^[b]!”^(T)

⁹ Raise the war cry,^[c](U) you nations, and be shattered!^(V)
    Listen, all you distant lands.
Prepare^(W) for battle, and be shattered!
    Prepare for battle, and be shattered!
¹⁰ Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted;^(X)
    propose your plan, but it will not stand,^(Y)
    for God is with us.^[d](Z)

¹² “Do not call conspiracy^(AC)
    everything this people calls a conspiracy;
do not fear what they fear,^(AD)
    and do not dread it.^(AE)
13 The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,^(AF)
    he is the one you are to fear,^(AG)
    he is the one you are to dread.^(AH)
14 He will be a holy place;^(AI)
    for both Israel and Judah he will be
a stone^(AJ) that causes people to stumble^(AK)
    and a rock that makes them fall.^(AL)
And for the people of Jerusalem he will be
    a trap and a snare.^(AM)
15 Many of them will stumble;^(AN)
    they will fall and be broken,
    they will be snared and captured.”

¹⁶ Bind up this testimony of warning^(AO)
    and seal^(AP) up God’s instruction among my disciples.
¹⁷ I will wait^(AQ) for the Lord,
    who is hiding^(AR) his face from the descendants of Jacob.
I will put my trust in him.^(AS)

² The people walking in darkness^(BL)
    have seen a great light;^(BM)
on those living in the land of deep darkness^(BN)
    a light has dawned.^(BO)
3 You have enlarged the nation^(BP)
    and increased their joy;^(BQ)
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.^(BR)
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,^(BS)
    you have shattered^(BT)
the yoke^(BU) that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,^(BV)
    the rod of their oppressor.^(BW)
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,^(BX)
    will be fuel for the fire.
⁶ For to us a child is born,^(BY)
    to us a son is given,^(BZ)
    and the government^(CA) will be on his shoulders.^(CB)
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor,^(CC) Mighty God,^(CD)
    Everlasting^(CE) Father,^(CF) Prince of Peace.^(CG)
7 Of the greatness of his government^(CH) and peace^(CI)
    there will be no end.^(CJ)
He will reign^(CK) on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice^(CL) and righteousness^(CM)
    from that time on and forever.^(CN)
The zeal^(CO) of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

Yet for all this, his anger^(DA) is not turned away,
    his hand is still upraised.^(DB)

¹³ But the people have not returned^(DC) to him who struck^(DD) them,
    nor have they sought^(DE) the Lord Almighty.
¹⁴ So the Lord will cut off from Israel both head and tail,
    both palm branch and reed^(DF) in a single day;^(DG)
15 the elders^(DH) and dignitaries^(DI) are the head,
    the prophets^(DJ) who teach lies^(DK) are the tail.
¹⁶ Those who guide^(DL) this people mislead them,
    and those who are guided are led astray.^(DM)
17 Therefore the Lord will take no pleasure in the young men,^(DN)
    nor will he pity^(DO) the fatherless and widows,
for everyone is ungodly^(DP) and wicked,^(DQ)
    every mouth speaks folly.^(DR)

Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away,
    his hand is still upraised.^(DS)

¹⁸ Surely wickedness burns like a fire;^(DT)
    it consumes briers and thorns,^(DU)
it sets the forest thickets ablaze,^(DV)
    so that it rolls upward in a column of smoke.
¹⁹ By the wrath^(DW) of the Lord Almighty
    the land will be scorched^(DX)
and the people will be fuel for the fire;^(DY)
    they will not spare one another.^(DZ)
20 On the right they will devour,
    but still be hungry;^(EA)
on the left they will eat,^(EB)
    but not be satisfied.
Each will feed on the flesh of their own offspring^[f]:
²¹     Manasseh will feed on Ephraim, and Ephraim on Manasseh;^(EC)
    together they will turn against Judah.^(ED)

Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away,
    his hand is still upraised.^(EE)

10 Woe^(EF) to those who make unjust laws,
    to those who issue oppressive decrees,^(EG)
2 to deprive^(EH) the poor of their rights
    and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people,^(EI)
making widows their prey
    and robbing the fatherless.^(EJ)
3 What will you do on the day of reckoning,^(EK)
    when disaster^(EL) comes from afar?
To whom will you run for help?^(EM)
    Where will you leave your riches?
⁴ Nothing will remain but to cringe among the captives^(EN)
    or fall among the slain.^(EO)

Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away,^(EP)
    his hand is still upraised.

“‘By the strength of my hand^(FP) I have done this,^(FQ)
    and by my wisdom, because I have understanding.
I removed the boundaries of nations,
    I plundered their treasures;^(FR)
    like a mighty one I subdued^[g] their kings.^(FS)
14 As one reaches into a nest,^(FT)
    so my hand reached for the wealth^(FU) of the nations;
as people gather abandoned eggs,
    so I gathered all the countries;^(FV)
not one flapped a wing,
    or opened its mouth to chirp.^(FW)’”

¹⁵ Does the ax raise itself above the person who swings it,
    or the saw boast against the one who uses it?^(FX)
As if a rod were to wield the person who lifts it up,
    or a club^(FY) brandish the one who is not wood!
¹⁶ Therefore, the Lord, the Lord Almighty,
    will send a wasting disease^(FZ) upon his sturdy warriors;^(GA)
under his pomp^(GB) a fire^(GC) will be kindled
    like a blazing flame.
¹⁷ The Light of Israel will become a fire,^(GD)
    their Holy One^(GE) a flame;
in a single day it will burn and consume
    his thorns^(GF) and his briers.^(GG)
18 The splendor of his forests^(GH) and fertile fields
    it will completely destroy,^(GI)
    as when a sick person wastes away.
¹⁹ And the remaining trees of his forests^(GJ) will be so few^(GK)
    that a child could write them down.

“My people who live in Zion,^(GZ)
    do not be afraid^(HA) of the Assyrians,
who beat^(HB) you with a rod^(HC)
    and lift up a club against you, as Egypt did.
²⁵ Very soon^(HD) my anger against you will end
    and my wrath^(HE) will be directed to their destruction.^(HF)”

²⁶ The Lord Almighty will lash^(HG) them with a whip,
    as when he struck down Midian^(HH) at the rock of Oreb;
and he will raise his staff^(HI) over the waters,^(HJ)
    as he did in Egypt.
²⁷ In that day^(HK) their burden^(HL) will be lifted from your shoulders,
    their yoke^(HM) from your neck;^(HN)
the yoke^(HO) will be broken
    because you have grown so fat.^[i]

²⁸ They enter Aiath;
    they pass through Migron;^(HP)
    they store supplies^(HQ) at Mikmash.^(HR)
29 They go over the pass, and say,
    “We will camp overnight at Geba.^(HS)”
Ramah^(HT) trembles;
    Gibeah^(HU) of Saul flees.^(HV)
30 Cry out, Daughter Gallim!^(HW)
    Listen, Laishah!
    Poor Anathoth!^(HX)
31 Madmenah is in flight;
    the people of Gebim take cover.
³² This day they will halt at Nob;^(HY)
    they will shake their fist^(HZ)
at the mount of Daughter Zion,^(IA)
    at the hill of Jerusalem.

³³ See, the Lord, the Lord Almighty,
    will lop off^(IB) the boughs with great power.
The lofty trees will be felled,^(IC)
    the tall^(ID) ones will be brought low.^(IE)
34 He will cut down^(IF) the forest thickets with an ax;
    Lebanon^(IG) will fall before the Mighty One.^(IH)

“You are a priest forever,
    in the order of Melchizedek.”^[e](AY)

“The Lord has sworn
    and will not change his mind:^(BD)
    ‘You are a priest forever.’”^[f](BE)

“The days are coming, declares the Lord,
    when I will make a new covenant^(CI)
with the people of Israel
    and with the people of Judah.
⁹ It will not be like the covenant
    I made with their ancestors^(CJ)
when I took them by the hand
    to lead them out of Egypt,
because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,
    and I turned away from them,
declares the Lord.
¹⁰ This is the covenant^(CK) I will establish with the people of Israel
    after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
    and write them on their hearts.^(CL)
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.^(CM)
11 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
    or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,^(CN)
    from the least of them to the greatest.
¹² For I will forgive their wickedness
    and will remember their sins no more.^(CO)”^[j](CP)