Israel’s Misery

7 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 figsc that I crave.

2 The faithful have been swept from the land;d

not onee upright person remains.

Everyone lies in waitf to shed blood;g

they hunt each otherh with nets.i

3 Both hands are skilled in doing evil;j

the ruler demands gifts,

the judge accepts bribes,k

the powerful dictate what they desire—

they all conspire together.

4 The best of them is like a brier,l

the most upright worse than a thornm hedge.

The day God visits you has come,

the day your watchmen sound the alarm.

Now is the time of your confusion.n

5 Do not trust a neighbor;

put no confidence in a friend.o

Even with the woman who lies in your embrace

guard the words of your lips.

6 For a son dishonors his father,

a daughter rises up against her mother,p

a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—

a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.q