Arrogance is their necklace, ¹  and violence their clothing. ² 

They mock ¹  and say evil things; ²  they proudly threaten violence. ³ 

for their hearts contemplate violence, and their lips speak harm. ¹ 

You ¹  build Zion through bloody crimes, ²  Jerusalem ³  through unjust violence.

The earth was ruined ¹  in the sight of ²  God; the earth was filled with violence. ³ 

Simeon and Levi are brothers, weapons of violence are their knives! ¹ 

although ¹  there is no violence in my hands and my prayer is pure.

Then from the wicked the light is withheld, and the arm raised in violence ¹  is broken. ² 

Confuse them, ¹  O Lord! Frustrate their plans! ²  For I see violence and conflict in the city.

Disaster is within it; violence ¹  and deceit do not depart from its public square.

No! ¹  You plan how to do what is unjust; ²  you deal out violence in the earth. ³ 

From harm and violence he will defend them; ¹  he will value their lives. ² 

For they eat bread ¹  gained from wickedness ²  and drink wine obtained from violence. ³ 

Blessings ¹  are on the head of the righteous, but the speech ²  of the wicked conceals ³  violence. ⁴ 

There is only cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery. They resort to violence and bloodshed. ¹ 

“If ¹  I cry out, ²  ‘Violence!’ ³  I receive no answer; ⁴  I cry for help, but there is no justice.

The Lord approves of ¹  the godly, ²  but he ³  hates ⁴  the wicked and those who love to do violence. ⁵ 

Because they are bent on violence, do not let them escape! ¹  In your anger ²  bring down the nations, ³  O God!

Remember your covenant promises, ¹  for the dark regions of the earth are full of places where violence rules. ² 

The teaching ¹  of the righteous is a fountain of life, ²  but the speech ³  of the wicked conceals ⁴  violence. ⁵