*Psalms 2

₁Why do the nations

want to rebel_against God?

Why do they make a noise?

It will not help them.

₂The kings of the world

and everyone who rules

come together and make plans

against the Lord and his anointed king.

₃They say: ‘Let's break

the chains that hold us and

throw off the ropes that tie us.

We want to be free.’

₄But the Lord who lives in heaven

laughs at them. He mocks them.

₅He becomes angry and warns them.

He makes them afraid and

₆says: ‘I have appointed my anointed one

to be king on Mount_Zion,

my holy_mountain.’

₇I, the king, will tell you

what the Lord has said.

The Lord said to me:

‘You are my son,

and I have become your Father today.

₈You may ask Me anything,

and I will give it to you.

I will give you all the nations,

and they will all belong to you.

₉You will rule over them with great power,

like a king with an iron_sceptre.

You will do with them what you want,

like breaking a clay pot into pieces.’

₁₀All of you who are kings who rule on earth

must be wise and learn.

₁₁You must serve the Lord and fear Him,

praise Him and be afraid of Him,

₁₂and bow down in front of his son, the king.

If you don't, the Lord will be angry

and He will destroy you.

He can become angry quickly.

The Lord blesses people who trust in Him

and ask Him to protect them.