A reading from the book of Abeck.

The oracle that Abekek the prophet saw.

O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear.

A cry to you violence, and you will not save.

Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong?

Destruction and violence are before me. Strife and

contention arise, so the law is paralyzed and justice never goes forth, for the wicked surround

the righteous, so justice goes forth perverted. Look among the nations and see, wonder and be

astounded, for I am doing a work in your days, that you would not believe,

if told, for behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans that bitter and hasty nation,

who marched through the breath of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own.

They are dreaded and fearsome, their justice and dignity go forth from themselves.

Their horses are swifter than leopards, more fierce than the evening wolves.

Their horsemen press proudly on.

Their horsemen come from afar.

They fly like an eagle swift to devour.

They all come for violence, all their faces forward.

They gather captives like sand.

At kings they scoff, and at rulers they laugh.

They laugh at every fortress, for they pile up earth and take it,

then they sweep by like the wind and go on, guilty men, whose own might is their God.

Are you not from everlasting, O Lord, my God, my holy one? We shall not die. O Lord, you have ordained

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