That is what the wicked are like. They have plenty and are always getting more.

O God, you have made me suffer all day long; every morning you have punished me.

Don't be surprised when you see that the government oppresses the poor and denies them justice and their rights. Every official is protected by someone higher, and both are protected by still higher officials.

But how can you stand these treacherous, evil men? Your eyes are too holy to look at evil, and you cannot stand the sight of people doing wrong. So why are you silent while they destroy people who are more righteous than they are?

How great are God's riches! How deep are his wisdom and knowledge! Who can explain his decisions? Who can understand his ways?

There would be nothing that nations could do to keep godless oppressors from ruling them.

But Paul and Barnabas spoke out even more boldly: "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we will leave you and go to the Gentiles.