11. Ruthless witnesses come forward;they question me on things I know nothing about.
12. They repay me evil for goodand leave me like one bereaved.
13. Yet when they were ill, I put on sackclothand humbled myself with fasting.When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
14. I went about mourningas though for my friend or brother.I bowed my head in griefas though weeping for my mother.
15. But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;assailants gathered against me without my knowledge.They slandered me without ceasing.
16. Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;they gnashed their teeth at me.
17. How long, Lord, will you look on?Rescue me from their ravages,my precious life from these lions.
18. I will give you thanks in the great assembly;among the throngs I will praise you.
19. Do not let those gloat over mewho are my enemies without cause;do not let those who hate me without reasonmaliciously wink the eye.
20. They do not speak peaceably,but devise false accusationsagainst those who live quietly in the land.
21. They sneer at me and say, ‘Aha! Aha!With our own eyes we have seen it.’
22. Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent.Do not be far from me, Lord.
23. Awake, and rise to my defence!Contend for me, my God and Lord.