5  The earth lies ^tdefiled

under its inhabitants;

for they have transgressed the laws,

violated the statutes,

broken the everlasting covenant.

6  Therefore a curse devours the earth,

and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt;

therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched,

and few men are left.

3  Incline your ear, and come to me;

hear, that your soul may live;

and ^aI will make with you an everlasting ^bcovenant,

^cmy steadfast, sure love for David.

8  For I the Lord love justice;

I hate robbery and wrong;¹

I will faithfully give them their recompense,

and I will make an everlasting ^lcovenant with them.