May the evil deeds of the wicked come to an end! But make the innocent secure, O righteous God, you who examine inner thoughts and motives!

Carefully consider this, you who reject God! Otherwise I will rip you to shreds and no one will be able to rescue you.

O God, invincible warrior, come back! Look down from heaven and take notice! Take care of this vine,

A song of ascents, by David. “If the Lord had not been on our side” – let Israel say this! –

I will sing to my love – a song to my lover about his vineyard. My love had a vineyard on a fertile hill.

So now, residents of Jerusalem, people of Judah, you decide between me and my vineyard!

Listen to what they are saying to me. They are saying, “Where are the things the Lord threatens us with? Come on! Let’s see them happen!”

But listen to what I say to you and to all these people.

They said to him, “Please sit down and read it to us.” So Baruch sat down and read it to them.

He said to me, “Son of man, dig into the wall.” So I dug into the wall and discovered a doorway.

I will pour out my anger upon Pelusium, the stronghold of Egypt; I will cut off the hordes of Thebes.

I said, “Sovereign Lord, stop! How can Jacob survive? He is too weak!”

So now, Lord, kill me instead, because I would rather die than live!”

“The Lord who rules over all says, ‘Ask the priests about the law.

So Sarai said to Abram, “Since the Lord has prevented me from having children, have sexual relations with my servant. Perhaps I can have a family by her.” Abram did what Sarai told him.

He said, “Here, my lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house. Stay the night and wash your feet. Then you can be on your way early in the morning.” “No,” they replied, “we’ll spend the night in the town square.”

Look, I have two daughters who have never had sexual relations with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do to them whatever you please. Only don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.”

“No, please take them,” Jacob said. “If I have found favor in your sight, accept my gift from my hand. Now that I have seen your face and you have accepted me, it is as if I have seen the face of God.

When the days of mourning had passed, Joseph said to Pharaoh’s royal court, “If I have found favor in your sight, please say to Pharaoh,

‘Tell Joseph this: Please forgive the sin of your brothers and the wrong they did when they treated you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sin of the servants of the God of your father.” When this message was reported to him, Joseph wept.