Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

² “How long will you judge partially
    by showing favor on the wicked?^[c]
Interlude

³ “Defend the poor and the fatherless.
    Vindicate the afflicted and the poor.
⁴ Rescue the poor and the needy,
    delivering them from the power of the wicked.
⁵ They neither know nor understand;
    they walk about in the dark
        while all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

⁶ “Indeed I said, ‘You are gods,
    and all of you are sons of the Most High.
⁷ However, as all human beings do, you will die,
    and like other rulers, you will fall.’
⁸ Arise, God, to judge the earth,
    for all nations belong to you.

¹³ “Oh, how I am burdened down with you,
    as a wagon is overloaded with harvested grain!
¹⁴ So the swift runner will not escape,^[a]
    the valiant will not fortify his strength,
        and the mighty warrior will not save his life.
¹⁵ The skilled archer will not be able to stand,
    the swift runner will not survive,
        and the mounted rider will not preserve his own life.
¹⁶ Even the bravest of elite troops will run away naked at that time,”
    declares the Lord.

² ‘You alone have I known from among all of the families of mankind;
    therefore I will hold you accountable for all your iniquities.’”