1:2 How long, Lord, must I cry for help?

But you do not listen!

I call out to you, “Violence!”

But you do not intervene! ¹ 

1:3 Why do you force me to witness injustice? ² 

Why do you put up with wrongdoing? ³ 

Destruction and violence confront ⁴  me;

conflict is present and one must endure strife. ⁵ 

1:4 For this reason the law lacks power, ⁶ 

and justice is never carried out. ⁷ 

Indeed, ⁸  the wicked intimidate ⁹  the innocent. ¹⁰ 

For this reason justice is perverted. ¹¹