“Build up, build up, prepare the road!^(A)
    Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”^(B)
15 For this is what the high and exalted^(C) One says—
    he who lives forever,^(D) whose name is holy:
“I live in a high^(E) and holy place,
    but also with the one who is contrite^(F) and lowly in spirit,^(G)
to revive the spirit of the lowly
    and to revive the heart of the contrite.^(H)
16 I will not accuse^(I) them forever,
    nor will I always be angry,^(J)
for then they would faint away because of me—
    the very people^(K) I have created.
¹⁷ I was enraged by their sinful greed;^(L)
    I punished them, and hid^(M) my face in anger,
    yet they kept on in their willful ways.^(N)
18 I have seen their ways, but I will heal^(O) them;
    I will guide^(P) them and restore comfort^(Q) to Israel’s mourners,
¹⁹     creating praise on their lips.^(R)
Peace, peace,^(S) to those far and near,”^(T)
    says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
²⁰ But the wicked^(U) are like the tossing sea,^(V)
    which cannot rest,
    whose waves cast up mire^(W) and mud.
²¹ “There is no peace,”^(X) says my God, “for the wicked.”^(Y)

⁵ My wounds^(G) fester and are loathsome^(H)
    because of my sinful folly.^(I)
6 I am bowed down^(J) and brought very low;
    all day long I go about mourning.^(K)
7 My back is filled with searing pain;^(L)
    there is no health^(M) in my body.
⁸ I am feeble and utterly crushed;^(N)
    I groan^(O) in anguish of heart.^(P)

⁹ All my longings^(Q) lie open before you, Lord;
    my sighing^(R) is not hidden from you.
¹⁰ My heart pounds,^(S) my strength fails^(T) me;
    even the light has gone from my eyes.^(U)
11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;^(V)
    my neighbors stay far away.
¹² Those who want to kill me set their traps,^(W)
    those who would harm me talk of my ruin;^(X)
    all day long they scheme and lie.^(Y)

¹³ I am like the deaf, who cannot hear,^(Z)
    like the mute, who cannot speak;
¹⁴ I have become like one who does not hear,
    whose mouth can offer no reply.
¹⁵ Lord, I wait^(AA) for you;
    you will answer,^(AB) Lord my God.
¹⁶ For I said, “Do not let them gloat^(AC)
    or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.”^(AD)

¹⁷ For I am about to fall,^(AE)
    and my pain^(AF) is ever with me.
¹⁸ I confess my iniquity;^(AG)
    I am troubled by my sin.
¹⁹ Many have become my enemies^(AH) without cause^[b];
    those who hate me^(AI) without reason^(AJ) are numerous.
²⁰ Those who repay my good with evil^(AK)
    lodge accusations^(AL) against me,
    though I seek only to do what is good.

²¹ Lord, do not forsake me;^(AM)
    do not be far^(AN) from me, my God.
²² Come quickly^(AO) to help me,^(AP)
    my Lord and my Savior.^(AQ)