Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

³ Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
    for we have been completely filled with contempt.
⁴ Our soul is exceedingly filled with the ridicule of those who are at ease,
    and with the contempt of the proud ones.

² “Therefore my thoughts cause me to answer,
    and for this I make haste.
³ I have heard the rebuke that disgraces me,
    and the spirit of my understanding causes me to answer.

⁴ “Do you not know this of old,
    since man was placed upon earth,
⁵ that the triumphing of the wicked is short,
    and the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment?
⁶ Though his loftiness extends to the heavens,
    and his head reaches to the clouds,
⁷ yet he will perish forever like his own excrement;
    those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
⁸ He will fly away like a dream and will not be found;
    yes, he will be chased away as a vision of the night.
⁹ The eye that saw him will see him no more;
    nor will his place behold him anymore.
¹⁰ His children will seek favor from the poor,
    and his hands will give back his wealth.
¹¹ His bones are full of his youthful vigor,
    but it will lie down with him in the dust.