The demoralization of leaders and people

The sensuous leaders

9 All you wild beasts of the field,

all you wild beasts of the forest,

come hither to devour.

10 My watchmen are blind, every one,

with no knowledge of how to give heed.

Dumb dogs they are, every one of them,

lacking the power to bark;

but there they lie a-dreaming

in the slumber that they love.

11 Yes, greedy dogs are they,

that never can have enough;

but each to his own way turns,

each on his own gain bent:

12 ‘Come, wine let us fetch’ (they say),

‘let us fill ourselves with drink,

and tomorrow will be as today,

a royal uproarious day.’

57 The righteous are being destroyed,

and no man lays it to heart;

the godly are swept away,

and no man gives it a thought.

’Tis the wickedness prevailing

that sweeps the righteous away;

2 but he enters into peace,

and those whose walk has been upright

do rest at last on their biers.

The idolatrous people

3 But you – hither approach,

you children of a sorcerers;

you offspring of whore and adulterer,

4 whom are you making sport of?

At whom are you making wide mouths,

and putting out our tongue?

Are you not apostate children,

a very brood of falsehood,

5 who inflame yourselves at the oaks,

and under each green tree;

who in valleys slaughter children

amidst the clefts of the rocks?

6 The slippery gods of the valley –

those, those you have taken for your portion.

Yes, to them you have poured your drink-offerings

and rendered on oblation:

and should I with such things be appeased?

7 And you did set your bed

on a high and lofty mountain,

and thither you did go

to offer up your sacrifice.

8 Behind the door and the door-posts

your symbol you did set;

inflamed, you did uncover,

did go up and enlarge your bed.

And you did purchase you lovers,

whose wantonness you loved;

and did multiply your whoredoms,

when your eyes beheld the phallus.

9 For Melech you did anoint you

and multiply your perfumes;

you did send your ambassadors far,

yea, down to the depths of Sheol.

10 Though weary with many journeys,

you said not, ‘I despair.’

But ever new strength you gained,

and therefore you did not desist.

11 Of whom were you then in such abject terror

that you did play the traitor,

and gave no thought to me,

nor did lay your duty to heart?

I hid my eyes in silence,

and me you did not fear.

12 But I will expose your doings,

this ‘righteousness’ of yours.

13 When you cry, your hateful idols

will profit you nothing, nor save you;

the wind will lift them all,

and a breath will take them away.

But who trusts in me will possess the land,

and inherit my holy mountain.