³ May the Lord silence all flattering lips^(D)
    and every boastful tongue—^(E)
4 those who say,
    “By our tongues we will prevail;^(F)
    our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”

⁵ “Because the poor are plundered^(G) and the needy groan,^(H)
    I will now arise,^(I)” says the Lord.
    “I will protect them^(J) from those who malign them.”
⁶ And the words of the Lord are flawless,^(K)
    like silver purified^(L) in a crucible,^(M)
    like gold^[c] refined seven times.

⁷ You, Lord, will keep the needy safe^(N)
    and will protect us forever from the wicked,^(O)
8 who freely strut^(P) about
    when what is vile is honored by the human race.

⁵ All day long they twist my words;^(A)
    all their schemes are for my ruin.

³ What will he do to you,
    and what more besides,
    you deceitful tongue?
⁴ He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows,^(E)
    with burning coals of the broom bush.

⁵ Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek,
    that I live among the tents of Kedar!^(F)
6 Too long have I lived
    among those who hate peace.
⁷ I am for peace;
    but when I speak, they are for war.

²⁰ Woe^(A) to those who call evil good^(B)
    and good evil,^(C)
who put darkness for light
    and light for darkness,^(D)
who put bitter for sweet
    and sweet for bitter.^(E)