1. HELP, Lord! For principled and godly people are here no more; faithfulness and the faithful vanish from among the sons of men.
2. To his neighbor each one speaks words without use or worth or truth; with flattering lips and double heart [deceitfully] they speak.
3. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and the tongues that speak proud boasting,
4. Those who say, With our tongues we prevail; our lips are our own [to command at our will]–who is lord and master over us?
5. Now will I arise, says the Lord, because the poor are oppressed, because of the groans of the needy; I will set him in safety and in the salvation for which he pants.