Chapter 7
1 Misery 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 .
2 The godly man has perished out of the earth, and there is no one upright amongst men . They all lie in wait for blood ; every man hunts his brother with a net .
3 Their hands are on that which is evil to do it diligently . The ruler and judge ask for a bribe . The powerful man dictates the evil desire of his soul . Thus they conspire together .
4 The 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 .
5 Don’t trust in a neighbour . Don’t put confidence in a friend . With the woman lying in your embrace, be careful of the words of your mouth !
6 For the son dishonours 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 .
7 But as for me , I will look to the LORD . I will wait for the God of my salvation . My God will hear me .
8 Don’t rejoice against me , my enemy. When I fall , I will arise . When I sit in darkness , the LORD will be a light to me .
9 I will bear the indignation of the LORD , because I have sinned against him , until he pleads my case and executes judgement for me . He will bring me out to the light . I will see his righteousness .
10 Then my enemy will see it , and shame will cover her who said to me , "Where is the LORD your God ?" My eyes will see her . Now she will be trodden down like the mire of the streets .
11 A day to build your walls ! In that day , he will extend your boundary .
12 In 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 .
13 Yet the land will be desolate because of those who dwell therein , for the fruit of their doings .
14 Shepherd your people with your staff , the flock of your heritage , who dwell by themselves in a forest . Let them feed in the middle of fertile pasture land , in Bashan and Gilead , as in the days of old .
15 " As in the days of your coming out of the land of Egypt , I will show them marvellous things ."
16 The nations will see and be ashamed of all their might . They will lay their hand on their mouth . Their ears will be deaf .
17 They will lick the dust like a serpent . Like crawling things of the earth , they will come trembling out of their dens. They will come with fear to the LORD our God , and will be afraid because of you .
18 Who 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 .
19 He will again have compassion on us . He will tread our iniquities under foot . You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea .
20 You will give truth to Jacob , and mercy to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old .