Psalms 2

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

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?

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

The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his Anointed, saying,

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

“Let’s break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us.”

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

He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision.

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

Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath:

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

“Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”

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

I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my son. Today I have become your father.

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

Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.

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

You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

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

Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

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

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 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.

Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish on the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.