1<> Help, LORD, for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
2They speak vanity every one with his neighbor; with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
3The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things,
4who have said, "With our tongue, we will prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?"
5"For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise," saith the LORD; "I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him."
6The words of the LORD are pure words, as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7Thou shalt keep them, O LORD; Thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
8The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.