¹⁶ I was a father to the needy,
and I examined the case of the stranger.

²⁵ Have I not wept for those who have fallen on hard times?
Has my soul not grieved for the needy?^(A)

¹⁹ if I have seen anyone dying for lack of clothing
or a needy person without a cloak,^(A)

³ Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless;
uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.^(A)
4 Rescue the poor and needy;
save them from the power of the wicked.”^(B)

⁹ Speak up, judge righteously,^(A)
and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.^(B)

²³ Your rulers are rebels,
friends of thieves.^(A)
They all love graft
and chase after bribes.^(B)
They do not defend the rights of the fatherless,
and the widow’s case never comes before them.^(C)