1 You are righteous, Yahweh,
when I contend with you;
yet I would like to plead a case with you.
Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
Why are they all at ease who deal very
treacherously?

2 You have planted them. Yes, they have
taken root. They grow. Yes, they produce fruit.
You are near in their mouth,
and far from their heart.

3 But you, Yahweh, know me.
You see me, and test my heart toward
you. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter,
and prepare them for the day of
slaughter.

4 How long will the land mourn,
and the herbs of the whole country
wither? Because of the wickedness of those who
dwell therein, the animals and birds are consumed;
because they said, “He won’t see our latter end.”

5 “If you have run with the footmen,
and they have wearied you,
then how can you contend with
horses? Though in a land of peace you are secure,
yet how will you do in the pride of the
Jordan?

6 For even your brothers, and the house of
your father, even they have dealt treacherously
with you! Even they have cried aloud after you!
Don’t believe them, though they speak
beautiful words to you.

7 “I have forsaken my house.
I have cast off my heritage.
I have given the dearly beloved of my
soul into the hand of her enemies.

8 My heritage has become to me as a lion in
the forest. She has uttered her voice against me.
Therefore I have hated her.

9 Is my heritage to me as a speckled bird of
prey? Are the birds of prey against her all
around? Go, assemble all the animals of the field.
Bring them to devour.