Psalms 2

1 Therefore did the heathen rage, and the nations imagine vain things?

Wherefore do nations rage, and people meditate a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers gathered themselves together, against the Lord, and against his Christ;

The kings of the earth raise themselves up, and rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed:

3 [saying], Let us break through their bonds, and cast away their yoke from us.

“Let us break asunder their bands, and cast away from us their cords.”

4 He that dwells in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn, and the Lord shall mock them.

He who dwelleth in the heavens will laugh: the Lord will hold them in derision.

5 Then shall he speak to them in his anger, and trouble them in his fury.

Then will he speak unto them in his anger, and in his displeasure will he terrify them.

6 But I have been made king by him on Sion his holy mountain,

[Saying, ] Yet have I appointed my king upon Zion my holy mount.

7 declaring the ordinance of the Lord: the Lord said to me, You are my Son, today have I begotten you.

I will announce the decree, the Lord hath said unto me, “My son art thou: I have indeed this day begotten thee.

8 Ask of me, and I will give you the heathen [for] your inheritance, and the ends of the earth [for] your possession.

Ask it of me, and I will give thee nations for an inheritance, and for thy possession the uttermost ends of the earth.

9 You shall rule them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them in pieces as a potter's vessel.

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; like a potter's vessel shalt thou dash them in pieces.”

10 Now therefore understand, you kings: be instructed, all you that judge the earth.

And now, O ye kings, be wise: take warning, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice in him with trembling.

Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Accept correction, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and you should perish from the righteous way: whenever his wrath shall be suddenly kindled, blessed are all they that trust in him.

Do homage to the son, lest he be angry, and ye be lost on the way; for his wrath is so speedily kindled. Happy are all they that put their trust in him.