Psalms 2
1 Wherefore did the heathen rage, and the nations imagine vain things?
Why this turmoil of nations, this futile plotting of peoples,
2 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers gathered themselves together, against the Lord, and against his Christ;
with kings of the earth conspiring, and rulers consulting together, against the Lord and against his anointed,
3 [saying], Let us break through their bonds, and cast away their yoke from us.
to snap their bonds and fling their cords away?
4 He that dwells in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn, and the Lord shall mock them.
He whose throne is in heaven laughs, the Lord mocks them.
5 Then shall he speak to them in his anger, and trouble them in his fury.
Then he speaks to them in his wrath, and in his hot anger confounds them.
6 But I have been made king by him on Sion his holy mountain,
‘This my king is installed by me, on Zion my holy mountain.’
7 declaring the ordinance of the Lord: the Lord said to me, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee.
I will tell of the Lord’s decree. He said to me: ‘You are my son, this day I became your father.
8 Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the ends of the earth [for] thy possession.
Only ask, and I make you the heir of the nations, and lord of the world to its utmost bounds.
9 Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces as a potter's vessel.
You will break them with sceptre of iron, shatter them like pottery.’
10 Now therefore understand, ye kings: be instructed, all ye that judge the earth.
So now, you kings, be wise: be warned, you rulers of earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice in him with trembling.
Serve the Lord in awe, kiss his feet with trembling,
12 Accept correction, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and ye should perish from the righteous way: whensoever his wrath shall be suddenly kindled, blessed are all they that trust in him.
lest, angry, he hurl you to ruin; for soon will his fury blaze. Happy all who take refuge in him.
