1 M isery is mine! Indeed, I am like one who gathers the summer fruits, as gleanings of the vineyard: There is no cluster of grapes to eat. My soul desires to eat the early fig.

It is bad for me! For I am like those who pick fruit and gather grapes. There are no grapes to eat, or any of the early figs that I want so much.

2 T he godly man has perished out of the earth, and there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; every man hunts his brother with a net.

There is not a God-like person left in the land. There is no good person among men. All of them lie in wait to kill. Each one hunts the other with a net.

3 T heir hands are on that which is evil to do it diligently. The ruler and judge ask for a bribe; and the powerful man dictates the evil desire of his soul. Thus they conspire together.

Both hands are very able in doing sinful things. The ruler and the judge ask for pay in secret to do what is wrong. The powerful man tells what he wants, and they all make plans together.

4 T he best of them is like a brier. The most upright is worse than a thorn hedge. The day of your watchmen, even your visitation, has come; now is the time of their confusion.

The best of them is like a thistle. The most honest of them is like a thorn bush. The day you have a watchman, you will be punished. Then their trouble will come.

5 D on’t trust in a neighbor. Don’t put confidence in a friend. With the woman lying in your embrace, be careful of the words of your mouth!

Do not trust a neighbor. Do not put trust in a friend. Be careful what you say even with her who lies in your arms.

6 F or the son dishonors the father, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.

For a son does not honor his father. A daughter rises up against her mother. And a daughter-in-law turns against her mother-in-law. Those of a man’s own house hate him.

7 B ut as for me, I will look to Yahweh. I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.

But as for me, I will watch for the Lord. I will wait for the God Who saves me. My God will hear me. The Lord Saves

8 D on’t rejoice against me, my enemy. When I fall, I will arise. When I sit in darkness, Yahweh will be a light to me.

Do not have joy over me, you who hate me. When I fall, I will rise. Even though I am in darkness, the Lord will be my light.

9 I will bear the indignation of Yahweh, because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my case, and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light. I will see his righteousness.

I will suffer under the Lord’s anger, because I have sinned against Him, until He speaks for me and does what is fair for me. He will bring me out to the light, and I will see His saving power.

10 T hen my enemy will see it, and shame will cover her who said to me, where is Yahweh your God? Then my enemy will see me and will cover her shame. Now she will be trodden down like the mire of the streets.

Then the one who hated me will see, and shame will cover her who said to me, “Where is the Lord your God?” My eyes will look on her, and she will be crushed under foot like mud in the streets.

11 A day to build your walls— In that day, he will extend your boundary.

It will be a day for building your walls. At that time your land will be made larger.

12 I n that day they will come to you from Assyria and the cities of Egypt, and from Egypt even to the River, and from sea to sea, and mountain to mountain.

In that day people will come to you from Assyria and the cities of Egypt, from Egypt to the Euphrates River, from sea to sea and from mountain to mountain.

13 Y et the land will be desolate because of those who dwell therein, for the fruit of their doings.

The earth will be laid waste because of its people and the things they have done. The Lord’s Loving-Kindness for Israel

14 S hepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your heritage, who dwell by themselves in a forest, in the middle of fertile pasture land, let them feed; in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.

Shepherd Your people with Your power. Take care of Your chosen flock which lives by itself in the woods, in a field of much fruit. Let them eat in Bashan and Gilead as in days long ago.

15 “ As in the days of your coming out of the land of Egypt, I will show them marvelous things.”

“As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, I will show you powerful works.”

16 T he nations will see and be ashamed of all their might. They will lay their hand on their mouth. Their ears will be deaf.

Nations will see and be ashamed of all their power. They will put their hands on their mouths, and will not be able to hear with their ears.

17 T hey will lick the dust like a serpent. Like crawling things of the earth they shall come trembling out of their dens. They will come with fear to Yahweh our God, and will be afraid because of you.

They will eat the dust like a snake, like animals that move along the ground. They will come out of their strong-places shaking with fear. They will come in much fear to the Lord our God, and they will be afraid of You.

18 W ho is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn’t retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness.

Who is a God like You, Who forgives sin and the wrong-doing of Your chosen people who are left? He does not stay angry forever because He is happy to show loving-kindness.

19 H e will again have compassion on us. He will tread our iniquities under foot; and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

He will again have loving-pity on us. He will crush our sins under foot. Yes, You will throw all our sins into the deep sea.

20 Y ou will give truth to Jacob, and mercy to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

You will be true to Jacob and show loving-kindness to Abraham, as You promised our fathers in days long ago.