Psalms 2

1 Why this turmoil of nations, this futile plotting of peoples,

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot in vain?

2 with kings of the earth conspiring, and rulers consulting together, against the Lord and against his anointed,

The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Jehovah, and against his Anointed:

3 to snap their bonds and fling their cords away?

"Let's tear off their shackles, and throw off their ropes from us."

4 He whose throne is in heaven laughs, the Lord mocks them.

The one who sits in the heavens laughs. Jehovah scoffs at them.

5 Then he speaks to them in his wrath, and in his hot anger confounds them.

Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath:

6 ‘This my king is installed by me, on Zion my holy mountain.’

"But I myself have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain."

7 I will tell of the Lord’s decree. He said to me: ‘You are my son, this day I became your father.

I will tell of the decree. Jehovah said to me, "You are my son. Today I have become your father.

8 Only ask, and I make you the heir of the nations, and lord of the world to its utmost bounds.

Ask of me, and I will give the nations as your inheritance, and the farthest parts of the earth for your possession.

9 You will break them with sceptre of iron, shatter them like pottery.’

You shall rule them with an iron scepter. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."

10 So now, you kings, be wise: be warned, you rulers of earth.

Now therefore, you kings, be wise; receive correction, you judges of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord in awe, kiss his feet with trembling,

Serve Jehovah with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 lest, angry, he hurl you to ruin; for soon will his fury blaze. Happy all who take refuge in him.

Do homage in purity, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, when his anger is suddenly kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.