1 Do you rulers indeed speak justly?

Do you judge people with equity?

2 No, in your heart you devise injustice,

and your hands mete out violence on the earth.

1 Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation?

Do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?

2 Yea, in heart ye work wickedness;

Ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.

1 Justice—do you rulers know the meaning of the word?

Do you judge the people fairly?

2 No! You plot injustice in your hearts.

You spread violence throughout the land.

1 Do you indeed speak righteousness, you silent ones?

Do you judge uprightly, you sons of men?

2 No, in heart you work wickedness;

You weigh out the violence of your hands in the earth.

1 Do you rulers really say what is right?

Do you judge people fairly?

2 No, in your heart you plan evil;

you think up violent crimes in the land.

1 Do ye indeed in silence speak righteousness?

Do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?

2 Nay, in heart ye work wickedness;

Ye weigh out the violence of your hands in the earth.

1 Is righteousness indeed silent? Do ye speak it? Do ye judge with equity, ye sons of men? 2 Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh out the violence of your hands in the earth.

1 Do you rulers really give fair verdicts? 

Do you judge Adam’s descendants fairly? 

2 No, you invent new crimes on earth, 

and your hands spread violence. 

1 Do you really speak righteously, you mighty ones?

Do you judge people fairly?

2 No, you practice injustice in your hearts;

with your hands you weigh out violence in the land.

1 Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?

Do you judge people fairly?

2 No, in your hearts you devise wrongs;

your hands deal out violence on earth.

1 Do you really speak what is right when silent?

Do you judge fairly the children of humankind?

2 No, in your heart you plan injustices;

in the land you weigh out the violence of your hands.

1 Are you rulers really fair when you speak?

Do you judge people honestly?

2 No, in your hearts you plan to be unfair.

With your hands you do terrible things on the earth.

1 Do you indeed speak righteousness, O gods?

Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?

2 No, in heart you work unrighteousness;

On earth you weigh out the violence of your hands.