¹⁸ “Earth, do not cover my blood;^(A)
    may my cry^(B) never be laid to rest!^(C)
19 Even now my witness^(D) is in heaven;^(E)
    my advocate is on high.^(F)
20 My intercessor^(G) is my friend^[a](H)
    as my eyes pour out^(I) tears^(J) to God;
²¹ on behalf of a man he pleads^(K) with God
    as one pleads for a friend.

²² “Only a few years will pass
    before I take the path of no return.^(L)