The wicked say to themselves, "God doesn't care! He has closed his eyes and will never see me!"

How can the wicked despise God and say to themselves, "He will not punish me"?

Listen to their insults and threats. Their tongues are like swords in their mouths, yet they think that no one hears them.

Doesn't God live in the highest heavens and look down on the stars, even though they are high?

And yet you ask, "What does God know? He is hidden by clouds---how can he judge us?"

Those who try to hide their plans from the LORD are doomed! They carry out their schemes in secret and think no one will see them or know what they are doing.

God asked me, "Mortal man, do you see what the Israelite leaders are doing in secret? They are all worshiping in a room full of images. Their excuse is: 'The LORD doesn't see us! He has abandoned the country.' "

God answered, "The people of Israel and Judah are guilty of terrible sins. They have committed murder all over the land and have filled Jerusalem with crime. They say that I, the LORD, have abandoned their country and that I don't see them.

"At that time I will take a lamp and search Jerusalem. I will punish the people who are self-satisfied and confident, who say to themselves, 'The LORD never does anything, one way or the other.'

And there was a widow in that same town who kept coming to him and pleading for her rights, saying, 'Help me against my opponent!'

For a long time the judge refused to act, but at last he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or respect people,