“I call out to you,

For the real is gutted,

The truth has fallen away

From the human family

And self-deceit and small advantage corrupt speech

 

Cut off all nattering lips

The self-doubtful tongue that speaks a twisted

language

Saying “With our words we’ll be mighty

We’ll speak as we wish,

Our words are ours to fashion.”

 

Psalm 12, as translated by Norman Fischer