4. I had pity and prayedfor my enemies,but their words to mewere harsh and cruel.
5. For being friendly and kind,they paid me backwith meanness and hatred.
6. My enemies said,“Find some worthless foolsto accuse him of a crime.
7. Try him and find him guilty!Consider his prayers a lie.
8. Cut his life shortand let someone elsehave his job.
9. Make orphans of his childrenand a widow of his wife;
10. make his children beg for foodand live in the slums.
11. “Let the people he owestake everything he owns.Give it all to strangers.
12. Don't let anyone be kind to himor have pity on the childrenhe leaves behind.
13. Bring an end to his family,and from now on let him bea forgotten man.
14. “Don't let the Lord forgivethe sins of his parentsand his ancestors.
15. Don't let the Lord forgetthe sins of his family,or let anyone rememberhis family ever lived.
16. He was so cruel to the poor,homeless, and discouragedthat they died young.
17. “He cursed others.Now place a curse on him!He never wished others well.Wish only trouble for him!
18. He cursed others more oftenthan he dressed himself.Let his curses strike him deep,just as water and olive oilsoak through to our bones.
19. Let his curses surround him,just like the clotheshe wears each day.”