9  Therefore justice is far from us,

and righteousness does not overtake us;

^jwe hope for light, and behold, darkness,

and for brightness, but we walk in gloom.

10  ^kWe grope for the wall like the blind;

we grope like those who have no eyes;

we stumble at noon as in the twilight,

^lamong those in full vigor we are like dead men.

11  We all growl like bears;

^mwe moan and moan like doves;

ⁿwe hope for justice, but there is none;

for salvation, but it is far from us.

12  For our transgressions are multiplied before you,

and our sins testify against us;

for our transgressions are with us,

and we know our iniquities:

13  transgressing, and denying the Lord,

and turning back from following our God,

^ospeaking oppression and revolt,

conceiving and uttering from the heart lying words.