1. Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2. I will open my mouth in a parable;I will utter insightful sayings of old,
3. which we have heard and known,what our fathers have told us.
4. We will not hide them from their children,but will tell the coming generationthe praises of the Lord,and His strength, and the wonderful works that He has done.
5. For He established a rule in Jacob,and appointed a law in Israel,which He commanded our fathersthat they should make them known to their children,
6. that the generation to come might know them,even the children who are not yet born,who will arise and declare them to their children:
7. that they might set their hope in Godand not forget the works of God,but keep His commandments,
8. and they might not be as their fathers,a stubborn and rebellious generation,a generation that did not set their heart steadfast,and whose spirit was not faithful to God.
9. The people of Ephraim, being armed with bows,turned back in the day of battle.
10. They did not keep the covenant of Godand refused to walk in His law;