“Because of the violence done to the oppressed, ¹  because of the painful cries ²  of the needy, I will spring into action,” ³  says the Lord. “I will provide the safety they so desperately desire.” ⁴ 

The oppressed and the poor look for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched from thirst. I, the Lord, will respond to their prayers; ¹  I, the God of Israel, will not abandon them.

Have I not wept for the unfortunate? ¹  Was not my soul grieved for the poor?

for you live among them. ¹  You sustain the oppressed with your good blessings, O God.

I know ¹  that the Lord defends the cause of the oppressed and vindicates the poor. ² 

If I have seen anyone about to perish for lack of clothing, or a poor man without a coat,

Defend the cause of the poor and the fatherless! ¹  Vindicate the oppressed and suffering!

to keep the poor from getting fair treatment, and to deprive ¹  the oppressed among my people of justice, so they can steal what widows own, and loot what belongs to orphans. ² 

This is what the Lord says: “Because Israel has committed three covenant transgressions ¹  – make that four! ²  – I will not revoke my decree of judgment. ³  They sold the innocent ⁴  for silver, the needy for a pair of sandals. ⁵ 

so that they caused ¹  the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he hears ²  the cry of the needy.

Do not exploit ¹  a poor person because he is poor and do not crush the needy in court, ² 

That is how ¹  they have grown fat and sleek. ²  There is no limit to the evil things they do. ³  They do not plead the cause of the fatherless in such a way as to win it. They do not defend the rights of the poor.

Certainly ¹  I am aware of ²  your many rebellious acts ³  and your numerous sins. You ⁴  torment the innocent, you take bribes, and you deny justice to ⁵  the needy at the city gate. ⁶ 

“Surely one does not stretch out his hand against a broken man ¹  when he cries for help in his distress. ² 

The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever is kind to the needy is blessed.

But when you do your giving, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

He lifts the weak ¹  from the dust; he raises ²  the poor from the ash heap to seat them with princes and to bestow on them an honored position. ³  The foundations of the earth belong to the Lord, and he has placed the world on them.

“If you lend money to any of ¹  my people who are needy among you, do not be like a moneylender ²  to him; do not charge ³  him interest. ⁴ 

He generously gives ¹  to the needy; his integrity endures. ²  He will be vindicated and honored. ³ 

The downtrodden will again rejoice in the Lord; the poor among humankind will take delight ¹  in the Holy One of Israel. ²