< Psalms 12 >
1 Help, YHWH; for the righteous man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
3 YHWH shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is master over us?
5 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 YHWH are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7 Thou shalt keep them, O YHWH, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.