In Sodom

[entanglingbriars]

In Sodom we did not strengthen the hand of the poor,
And did not welcome the stranger in our midst.
And so You disposed of us, declaring,
“Even the babes among you are not righteous.”

When he fled fratricide and famine to Egypt
Joseph repaid our hosts with slavery,
And You gave him prosperity,
But held us, his descendants, in bondage.

In Jerusalem we worshiped Molech,
And stole from the fields of the poor.
But when You led Babylon to our gates
They killed the poor, merely exiled the rich.

Shall the Judge of the Earth not do justice?
To whom will You show mercy?
Your justice is so often bitter,
Your mercy is sweet, but I do not yet taste it.

I know You restored Jerusalem,
Led us out of Egypt, repented of the flood
(Did You repent also of Sodom?).
But so many died in justice, before Your mercy came.

Who am I to dare condemn you? Who am I to dare refrain?
Why do I cry for justice, yet not pursue it?
Why do I cry for mercy, yet not show it?
For I surely do not number among the righteous.

I was in Sodom, but I did not extend my hand;
In Egypt I prospered while others were captive;
I have sacrificed to idols, but You did not kill me;
And I now reside with comfort in Babylon.

But I also am held in exile,
I am sacrificed by others to strange gods;
I labor for the prosperity of those far richer than I;
And shall the nine righteous of Sodom be swept away?