10. Like the blind we grope along the wall,feeling our way like people without eyes.At midday we stumble as if it were twilight;among the strong, we are like the dead.
11. We all growl like bears;we moan mournfully like doves.We look for justice, but find none;for deliverance, but it is far away.
12. For our offences are many in your sight,and our sins testify against us.Our offences are ever with us,and we acknowledge our iniquities:
13. rebellion and treachery against the Lord,turning our backs on our God,inciting revolt and oppression,uttering lies our hearts have conceived.
14. So justice is driven back,and righteousness stands at a distance;truth has stumbled in the streets,honesty cannot enter.
15. Truth is nowhere to be found,and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.The Lord looked and was displeasedthat there was no justice.
16. He saw that there was no one,he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;so his own arm achieved salvation for him,and his own righteousness sustained him.
17. He put on righteousness as his breastplate,and the helmet of salvation on his head;he put on the garments of vengeanceand wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
18. According to what they have done,so will he repaywrath to his enemiesand retribution to his foes;he will repay the islands their due.