Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
1 O LORD, thou God of vengeance, thou God of vengeance, shine forth!
1
The LORD is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth.
2 Rise up, O judge of the earth; render to the proud their deserts!
2
Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.
3 O LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult?
3
How long, LORD, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant?
4 They pour out their arrogant words, they boast, all the evildoers.
4
They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are full of boasting.
5 They crush thy people, O LORD, and afflict thy heritage.
5
They crush your people, LORD; they oppress your inheritance.
6 They slay the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless;
6
They slay the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless.
7 and they say, "The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive."
7
They say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob takes no notice.”
8 Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise?
8
Take notice, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?
9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see?
9
Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?
10 He who chastens the nations, does he not chastise? He who teaches men knowledge,
10
Does he who disciplines nations not punish? Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
11 the LORD, knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.
11
The LORD knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.