Woe to those who plot evil,
who lie in bed planning mischief!
No sooner is it dawn than they do it
– their hands have the strength for it.
Seizing the fields that they covet,
they take over houses as well,
owner and house they confiscate together,
taking both man and inheritance.
So the Lord says this:
Now it is I who plot
such mischief against this breed
as your necks will not escape;
nor will you be able to walk proudly,
so evil will the time be.
On that day they will make a satire on you,
sing a dirge and say,
‘We are stripped of everything;
my people’s portion is measured out and shared,
no one will give it back to them,
our fields are awarded to our despoiler.’

Therefore you will have no one
to measure out a share
in the community of the Lord.

Lord, do not forget the poor.

Lord, why do you stand afar off
  and hide yourself in times of distress?
The poor man is devoured by the pride of the wicked: 
 he is caught in the schemes that others have made.

Lord, do not forget the poor.

For the wicked man boasts of his heart’s desires;
  the covetous blasphemes and spurns the Lord.
In his pride the wicked says: ‘He will not punish.
  There is no God.’ Such are his thoughts.

Lord, do not forget the poor.

His mouth is full of cursing, guile, oppression,
  mischief and deceit under his tongue.
He lies in wait among the reeds;
  the innocent he murders in secret.

Lord, do not forget the poor.

His eyes are on the watch for the helpless man.
But you have seen the trouble and sorrow,
  you note it, you take it in hand.
The helpless trusts himself to you;
  for you are the helper of the orphan.

Lord, do not forget the poor.

Alleluia, alleluia!
Make me grasp the way of your precepts,
and I will muse on your wonders.
Alleluia!