Psalms 2

1 Why have the Gentiles been seething, and why have the people been pondering nonsense?

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

2 The kings of the earth have stood up, and the leaders have joined together as one, 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 “Let us shatter their chains and cast their yoke away from us.”

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

4 He who dwells in heaven will ridicule them, and the Lord will mock them.

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

5 Then will he speak to them in his anger and trouble them with his fury.

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

6 Yet I have been appointed king by him over Zion, his holy mountain, preaching his precepts.

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

7 The Lord has said to me: You are my son, this day 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 to you: the Gentiles 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 will rule them with an iron rod, and you will shatter them like 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 And now, O kings, understand. Receive instruction, you who judge the earth.

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

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

Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord might become angry, and you would perish from the way of the just. Though his wrath can flare up in a short time, blessed are all those who 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.