16. “If now you have understanding, hear this.Listen to the voice of my words.
17. Shall even one who hates justice govern?Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?—
18. Who says to a king, ‘Vile!’or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’?
19. Who doesn’t respect the persons of princes,nor respects the rich more than the poor;for they all are the work of his hands.
20. In a moment they die, even at midnight.The people are shaken and pass away.The mighty are taken away without a hand.
21. “For his eyes are on the ways of a man.He sees all his goings.
22. There is no darkness, nor thick gloom,where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23. For he doesn’t need to consider a man further,that he should go before God in judgement.
24. He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out,and sets others in their place.
25. Therefore he takes knowledge of their works.He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26. He strikes them as wicked menin the open sight of others;
27. because they turned away from following him,and wouldn’t pay attention to any of his ways,
28. so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him.He heard the cry of the afflicted.
29. When he gives quietness, who then can condemn?When he hides his face, who then can see him?Alike whether to a nation, or to a man,
30. that the godless man may not reign,that there be no one to ensnare the people.
31. “For has any said to God,‘I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.