1 HELP, LORD! For principled and godly people are here no more; faithfulness and the faithful vanish from among the sons of men. 2 To his neighbor each one speaks words without use or worth or truth; with flattering lips and double heart [deceitfully] they speak.
3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and the tongues that speak proud boasting, 4 Those who say, With our tongues we prevail; our lips are our own [to command at our will]--who is lord and master over us?
5 Now will I arise, says the Lord, because the poor are oppressed, because of the groans of the needy; I will set him in safety and in the salvation for which he pants. 6 The words and promises of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times over.
7 You will keep them and preserve them, O Lord; You will guard and keep us from this [evil] generation forever. 8 The wicked walk or prowl about on every side, as vileness is exalted [and baseness is rated high] among the sons of men.