The Utter Degeneracy of the People

7 Woe, woe is me, for I have become

like a field after harvest,

like a vineyard after gathering;

not a cluster of grapes to eat,

not a fig that anyone desires.

2 The honest have perished from the land,

of the upright among people there is none.

All of them lie in wait to shed blood.

They hunt one another with the net.

3 Their hands know well how to do evil,

the officer and judge demands a bribe,

the high official decides as he pleases

and they conspire to pervert justice.

4 The best of them are like a thorn thicket,

their most upright like a prickly hedge.

The day of their punishment has come,

now will be their confusion!

5 Do not trust your neighbour,

do not rely on a friend.

From the wife who lies in your arms

guard your tongue.

6 For son insults father,

daughter rises up against mother,

daughter-in-law against mother-in-law,

a man’s enemies are the people of his own household.