12:1  HELP, LORD! For principled {and} godly people are here no more; faithfulness {and} the faithful vanish from among the sons of men.

12:2  To his neighbor each one speaks words without use {or} worth {or} truth; with flattering lips and double heart [deceitfully] they speak.

12:3  May the Lord cut off all flattering lips {and} the tongues that speak proud boasting,

12:4  Those who say, With our tongues we prevail; our lips are our own [to command at our will]--who is lord {and} master over us?

12:5  Now will I arise, says the Lord, because the poor are oppressed, because of the groans of the needy; I will set him in safety {and} in the salvation for which he pants.

12:6  The words {and} promises of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times over.

12:7  You will keep them and preserve them, O Lord; You will guard {and} keep us from this [evil] generation forever.

12:8  The wicked walk {or} prowl about on every side, as vileness is exalted [and baseness is rated high] among the sons of men.