*Psalms 11

₁I know the Lord will protect me.

Why do you say that I must flee

to the mountains like a bird?

₂You say: ‘You must flee because

the people who do wrong

have taken their bows_and_arrows,

and they want to shoot you.

They have taken their bows_and_arrows

and they stand in the dark.

They want to shoot good and honest people.’

₃You ask: ‘What can good people do

if sinful people have destroyed all that is good?’

₄But I say: ‘The Lord is in his holy temple,

in heaven where his throne is.

He sees everyone,

and He sees what they do.

₅He sees what everyone does,

and He tests people who live in the right way

and people who do wrong.

He hates everyone who is cruel

to other people.

₆He will send fire and sulphur

that will fall down

like rain from the sky,

and it will fall onto those who do wrong.

The hot desert wind will burn them,

and they will have to drink the cup_of_suffering.

₇The Lord does what is right,

and He also wants people to do what is right.

Honest people may come near Him,

and they will see Him.’