1 Agradual Canticle. Often have they impugned me from my youth, let Israel now say:
1 Often have they fought against me from my youth, let Israel now say.
2 Often have they impugned me from my youth: but they have not prevailed against me.
2 Often have they fought against me from my youth: but they could not prevail over me.
3 Sinners have builded upon my back: they have prolonged their iniquity.
3 The wicked have wrought upon my back: they have lengthened their iniquity.
4 Our just Lord will cut the necks of sinners:
4 The Lord who is just will cut the necks of sinners:
5 let them all be confounded and turned backward, that hate Sion.
5 Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Sion.
6 Let them be made as grass in the tops of houses: which is withered before it be plucked up.
6 Let them be as grass upon the tops of houses: which withereth before it be plucked up:
7 Whereof the reaper hath not filled his hand, and he that gathereth the sheaves his bosom.
7 Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand: nor he that gathereth sheaves his bosom.
8 And they said not that passed by: The blessing of our Lord be upon you: we have blessed you in the name of our Lord.
8 And they that passed by have not said: The blessing of the Lord be upon you: we have blessed you in the name of the Lord.