Psalms 35:13-21

¹³But when they were sick, I put on clothes of sackcloth in sympathy. I denied myself through fasting. May my prayer for them return to bless me too.

¹⁴I was upset for them, as if they were my own friends or family; I bowed down in grief as if I was mourning my own mother.

¹⁵But when I was in trouble, they gathered around and laughed at me. Even strangers I don't know attacked me, constantly tearing me apart.

¹⁶Like irreligious people mocking a cripple they mock me and call me names, gnashing their teeth at me.

¹⁷How long, Lord, will you sit by and just watch? Save me from their vicious attacks; defend the only life I have from these lions.

¹⁸Then I will thank you in front of the whole congregation and praise you in front of all the people.

¹⁹Don't let my enemies take pleasure in my troubles, those people who hate me and tell lies about me, gloating over me for no reason.

²⁰They are not looking for peace; they invent malicious and deceptive schemes against innocent peace-loving people.

²¹They open their mouths wide to make accusations against me, saying, “Look! Look! We saw it with our own eyes!”