Furthermore,I have seenunderthe sun[that] in the placeof justicethereis wickednessand in the placeof righteousnessthereis wickedness.
Then I lookedagainat allthe actsof oppressionwhichwere being doneunderthe sun.And behold[I saw] the tearsof the oppressedand [that] they hadnooneto comfort[them]; and on the sideof their oppressorswas power,but they hadnooneto comfort[them].
For in manydreamsand in manywordsthere is emptiness.Rather,fearGod.
Ifyou seeoppressionof the poorand denialof justiceand righteousnessin the province,do not be shockedat the sight;for one officialwatchesoveranother official,and there are higherofficialsoverthem.
AllthisI have seenand appliedmy mindto everydeedthat has been doneunderthe sunwhereina manhas exercisedauthorityover [another] manto his hurt.
Justiceis turnedback,And righteousnessstandsfaraway;For truthhas stumbledin the street,And uprightnesscannotenter.
They covetfieldsand then seize[them], And houses,and take[them] away. They roba manand his house,A manand his inheritance.
Concerningevil,both handsdoit well.The princeasks,also the judge,for a bribe,And a greatmanspeaksthe desireof his soul;So they weaveit together.
Her princeswithinher are roaringlions,Her judgesare wolvesat evening;They leavenothingfor the morning.
Nowthe chief priestsand the wholeCouncilkept trying to obtainfalse testimonyagainstJesus,sothat they might put Him to death.
ThenPaulsaidto him, "Godis goingto strikeyou, you whitewashedwall!Do you sitto tryme accordingto the Law,and in violation of the Laworderme to be struck?"
But you have dishonoredthe poor man.Is it not the richwho oppressyou and personallydragyou into court?
