9. I say I will not mention him,I will no longer speak in his name.But then it is as if fire is burning in my heart,imprisoned in my bones;I grow weary holding back,I cannot!
10. Yes, I hear the whisperings of many:“Terror on every side!Denounce! let us denounce him!”All those who were my friendsare on the watch for any misstep of mine.“Perhaps he can be tricked; then we will prevail,and take our revenge on him.”
11. But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion:my persecutors will stumble, they will not prevail.In their failure they will be put to utter shame,to lasting, unforgettable confusion.
12. Lord of hosts, you test the just,you see mind and heart,Let me see the vengeance you take on them,for to you I have entrusted my cause.
13. Sing to the Lord,praise the Lord,For he has rescued the life of the poorfrom the power of the evildoers!
14. Cursed be the dayon which I was born!May the day my mother gave me birthnever be blessed!
15. Cursed be the one who brought the newsto my father,“A child, a son, has been born to you!”filling him with great joy.
16. Let that man be like the citieswhich the Lord relentlessly overthrew;Let him hear war cries in the morning,battle alarms at noonday,
17. because he did not kill me in the womb!Then my mother would have been my grave,her womb confining me forever.