Psalms 2

1 Wherefore do nations rage, and people meditate a vain thing?

Therefore did the heathen rage, and the nations imagine vain things?

2 The kings of the earth raise themselves up, and rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed:

The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers gathered themselves together, against the Lord, and against his Christ;

3 “Let us break asunder their bands, and cast away from us their cords.”

[saying], Let us break through their bonds, and cast away their yoke from us.

4 He who dwelleth in the heavens will laugh: the Lord will hold them in derision.

He that dwells in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn, and the Lord shall mock them.

5 Then will he speak unto them in his anger, and in his displeasure will he terrify them.

Then shall he speak to them in his anger, and trouble them in his fury.

6 [Saying, ] Yet have I appointed my king upon Zion my holy mount.

But I have been made king by him on Sion his holy mountain,

7 I will announce the decree, the Lord hath said unto me, “My son art thou: I have indeed this day begotten thee.

declaring the ordinance of the Lord: the Lord said to me, You are my Son, today have I begotten you.

8 Ask it of me, and I will give thee nations for an inheritance, and for thy possession the uttermost ends of the earth.

Ask of me, and I will give you the heathen [for] your inheritance, and the ends of the earth [for] your possession.

9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; like a potter's vessel shalt thou dash them in pieces.”

You shall rule them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them in pieces as a potter's vessel.

10 And now, O ye kings, be wise: take warning, ye judges of the earth.

Now therefore understand, you kings: be instructed, all you that judge the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice in him with trembling.

12 Do homage to the son, lest he be angry, and ye be lost on the way; for his wrath is so speedily kindled. Happy are all they that put their trust in him.

Accept correction, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and you should perish from the righteous way: whenever his wrath shall be suddenly kindled, blessed are all they that trust in him.