1. What misery is mine!I am like one who gathers summer fruitat the gleaning of the vineyard;there is no cluster of grapes to eat,none of the early figs that I crave.
2. The faithful have been swept from the land;not one upright person remains.Everyone lies in wait to shed blood;they hunt each other with nets.
3. Both hands are skilled in doing evil;the ruler demands gifts,the judge accepts bribes,the powerful dictate what they desire –they all conspire together.
4. The best of them is like a brier,the most upright worse than a thorn hedge.The day God visits you has come,the day your watchmen sound the alarm.Now is the time of your confusion.
5. Do not trust a neighbour;put no confidence in a friend.Even with the woman who lies in your embraceguard the words of your lips.
6. For a son dishonours his father,a daughter rises up against her mother,a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law –a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.
7. But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,I wait for God my Saviour;my God will hear me.
8. Do not gloat over me, my enemy!Though I have fallen, I will rise.Though I sit in darkness,the Lord will be my light.
9. Because I have sinned against him,I will bear the Lord’s wrath,until he pleads my caseand upholds my cause.He will bring me out into the light;I will see his righteousness.