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The Evil That People Do

Poor me! I am like a hungry man,
    and all the summer fruit has been picked—
there are no grapes left to eat,
    none of the early figs I love.
All of the faithful people are gone;
    there is not one good person left in this country.
Everyone is waiting to kill someone;
    everyone is trying to trap someone else.
With both hands they are doing evil.
    Rulers ask for money,
    and judges’ decisions are bought for a price.
Rich people tell what they want,
    and they get it.

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Israel’s Misery

What misery is mine!
I am like one who gathers summer fruit
    at the gleaning of the vineyard;
there is no cluster of grapes to eat,
    none of the early figs(A) that I crave.
The faithful have been swept from the land;(B)
    not one(C) upright person remains.
Everyone lies in wait(D) to shed blood;(E)
    they hunt each other(F) with nets.(G)
Both hands are skilled in doing evil;(H)
    the ruler demands gifts,
the judge accepts bribes,(I)
    the powerful dictate what they desire—
    they all conspire together.

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