< Psalms 12 >
1 Unto the end; for the octave, a psalm for David. Save me, O Lord, for there is now no saint: truths are decayed from among the children of men.
Help, YHWH; for the righteous man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
2 They have spoken vain things every one to his neighbour: with deceitful lips, and with a double heart have they spoken.
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
3 May the Lord destroy all deceitful lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things.
YHWH shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
4 Who have said: We will magnify our tongue; our lips are our own; who is Lord over us?
Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is master over us?
5 By reason of the misery of the needy, and the groans of the poor, now will I arise, saith the Lord. I win set him in safety; I will deal confidently in his regard.
For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith YHWH; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried by the fire, purged from the earth refined seven times.
The words of YHWH are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7 Thou, O Lord, wilt preserve us: and keep us from this generation for ever.
Thou shalt keep them, O YHWH, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
8 The wicked walk round about: according to thy highness, thou best multiplied the children of men.
The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.