Israel’s Great Misery

(Matthew 10:34–39, Luke 12:49–53)

Woe is me!

For I am like one gathering summer fruit

at the gleaning of the vineyard;

there [is no] cluster to eat,

no early fig that I crave.

2 

The godly [man] has perished from the earth;

there is no one upright among men.

They all lie in wait for blood;

they hunt one another with a net.

3 

Both hands are skilled at evil;

the prince and the judge demand a bribe.

When the powerful utters his evil desire,

they all conspire together.

4 

The best of them [is] like a brier;

the most upright [is sharper] than a hedge of thorns.

The day for your watchmen has come,

[the day of] your visitation.[fn]

Now is [the time] of their confusion.

5 

Do not rely on a friend;

do not trust in a companion.

Seal the doors of your mouth

from her who lies in your arms.[fn]

6 

For a son dishonors his father,

a daughter rises against her mother,

and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

A man’s enemies [are] the members

of his own household.[fn]

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