1Appoint, O Lord, a lawgiver over them: that the Gentiles may know themselves to be but men.
2Why, O Lord, hast thou retired afar off? why dost thou slight us in our wants, in the time of trouble?
3Whilst the wicked man is proud, the poor is set on fire: they are caught in the counsels which they devise.
4For the sinner is praised in the desires of his soul: and the unjust man is blessed.
5The sinner hath provoked the Lord, according to the multitude of his wrath, he will not seek him:
6God is not before his eyes: his ways are filthy at all times. Thy judgments are removed form his sight: he shall rule over all his enemies.
7For he hath said in his heart: I shall not be moved from generation to generation, and shall be without evil.
8His mouth is full of cursing, and of bitterness, and of deceit: under his tongue are labour and sorrow.
9He sitteth in ambush with the rich, in private places, that he may kill the innocent.
10His eyes are upon the poor man: he lieth in wait, in secret, like a lion in his den. He lieth in ambush, that he may catch the poor man: so catch the poor, whilst he draweth him to him.
11In his net he will bring him down, he will crouch and fall, when he shall have power over the poor.
12For he hath said in his heart: God hath forgotten, he hath turned away his face, not to see to the end.
13Arise, O Lord God, let thy hand be exalted: forget not the poor.
14Wherefore hath the wicked provoked God? for he hath said in his heart: He will not require it.
15Thou seest it, for thou considerest labour and sorrow: that thou mayst deliver them into thy hands. To thee is the poor man left: thou wilt be a helper to the orphan.
16Break thou the arm of the sinner and of the malignant: his sin shall be sought, and shall not be found.
17The Lord shall reign to eternity, yea, for ever and ever: ye Gentiles shall perish from his land.
18The Lord hath heard the desire of the poor: thy ear hath heard the preparation of their heart.
19To judge for the fatherless and for the humble, that man may no more presume to magnify himself upon earth.
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