Psalms 2

1 Why this turmoil of nations, this futile plotting of peoples,

Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things?

2 with kings of the earth conspiring, and rulers consulting together, against the Lord and against his anointed,

The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together, against the Lord and against his Christ.

3 to snap their bonds and fling their cords away?

Let us break their bonds asunder: and let us cast away their yoke from us.

4 He whose throne is in heaven laughs, the Lord mocks them.

He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them: and the Lord shall deride them.

5 Then he speaks to them in his wrath, and in his hot anger confounds them.

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

6 “This my king is installed by me, on Zion my holy mountain.”

But I am appointed king by him over Sion his holy mountain, preaching his commandment.

7 I will tell of the Lord’s decree. He said to me: “You are my son, this day I became your father.

The Lord hath said to me: Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee.

8 Only ask, and I make you the heir of the nations, and lord of the world to its utmost bounds.

Ask of me, and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.

9 You will break them with sceptre of iron, shatter them like pottery.”

Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, and shalt break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

10 So now, you kings, be wise: be warned, you rulers of earth.

And now, O ye kings, understand: receive instruction, you that judge the earth.

11 Serve the Lord in awe, kiss his feet with trembling,

Serve ye the Lord with fear: and rejoice unto him with trembling.

12 lest, angry, he hurl you to ruin; for soon will his fury blaze. Happy all who take refuge in him.

Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and you perish from the just way. When his wrath shall be kindled in a short time, blessed are all they that trust in him.