11. Evil people testify against meand accuse me of crimes I know nothing about.
12. They pay me back evil for good,and I sink in despair.
13. But when they were sick, I dressed in mourning;I deprived myself of food;I prayed with my head bowed low,
14. as I would pray for a friend or a brother.I went about bent over in mourning,as one who mourns for his mother.
15. But when I was in trouble, they were all gladand gathered round to mock me;strangers beat meand kept striking me.
16. Like those who would mock a cripple,they glared at me with hate.
17. How much longer, Lord, will you just look on?Rescue me from their attacks;save my life from these lions!
18. Then I will thank you in the assembly of your people;I will praise you before them all.
19. Don't let my enemies, those liars,gloat over my defeat.Don't let those who hate me for no reasonsmirk with delight over my sorrow.
20. They do not speak in a friendly way;instead they invent all kinds of lies about peace-loving people.
21. They accuse me, shouting,“We saw what you did!”
22. But you, O Lord, have seen this.So don't be silent, Lord;don't keep yourself far away!
23. Rouse yourself, O Lord, and defend me;rise up, my God, and plead my cause.
24. You are righteous, O Lord, so declare me innocent;don't let my enemies gloat over me.
25. Don't let them say to themselves,“We are rid of him!That's just what we wanted!”
26. May those who gloat over my sufferingbe completely defeated and confused;may those who claim to be better than I ambe covered with shame and disgrace.