Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

³ Do not put your trust in the rulers of this world—kings and princes.
    Do not expect any rescue from mortal men.
⁴ As soon as their breath leaves them, they return to the earth;
    on that day, all of them perish—their dreams, their plans, and their memories.

⁵ Blessed are those whose help comes from the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is centered in the Eternal their God—
⁶ Who created the heavens, the earth,
    the seas, and all that lives within them;
Who stays true and remains faithful forever;
⁷ Who works justice for those who are pressed down by the world,
    providing food for those who are hungry.

The Eternal frees those who are imprisoned;
⁸ He makes the blind see.
    He lifts up those whose backs are bent in labor;
    He cherishes those who do what is right.
⁹ The Eternal looks after those who journey in a land not their own;
    He takes care of the orphan and the widow,
    but He frustrates the wicked along their way.

¹⁰ The Eternal will reign today, tomorrow, and forever.
    People of Zion, your God will rule forever over all generations.
Praise the Eternal!

¹¹ A rich man may be wise in his own sight,
    but a perceptive pauper will see right through him.

¹² There is much glory when just men celebrate;
    but when the wicked gain power, people take cover.

¹³ Whoever tries to hide his sins will not succeed,
    but the one who confesses his sins and leaves them behind will find mercy.
¹⁴ Happy is the one who always fears the Lord,
    but the person who hardens his heart to God falls into misfortune.

¹⁵ Like a roaring lion or a charging bear,
    so is a wicked man ruling over an impoverished people.
¹⁶ A leader who lacks intelligence cruelly oppresses the people,
    but one who hates corruption will prosper and live a long life.

¹⁷ A man guilty of murder is a fugitive,
    fleeing to the nearest hole in the ground but not escaping death’s cold pit.
    Don’t do anything to save him.

¹⁸ Whoever walks in honesty will be safe,
    but whoever travels the crooked path will suddenly fall.
¹⁹ Whoever cultivates his land will have plenty of food in the harvest,
    but whoever cultivates worthless ventures will have poverty in abundance.

²⁰ A reliable person will not escape blessings,
    but one who wants to get rich quick will not escape trouble.

²¹ Showing favoritism is not good;
    some will desert the truth for a measly crust of bread.

²² A greedy person is in a hurry to get rich,
    but he is ignorant of the loss that is about to overtake him.

²³ A person who offers constructive criticism will, in the end, be appreciated more
    than a person who engages in empty flattery.

²⁴ One who robs his father or his mother
    and says, “There’s nothing wrong with that! I had it coming!”
    walks in the company of murderers.

²⁵ When the greedy want more, they stir up trouble;
    but when a person trusts in the Eternal, he’s sure to prosper.
²⁶ Anyone who puts confidence only in himself is a fool,
    but the person who follows wisdom will be kept safe.

²⁷ Whoever gives to the poor will have what he needs,
    but the one who shuts his eyes to their plight will face curse after curse.

²⁸ When the wicked have the upper hand, people go into hiding;
    but when they perish, the good folk will begin to increase.