¹¹ God has turned me over to the ungodly
    and thrown me into the clutches of the wicked.^(A)
12 All was well with me, but he shattered me;
    he seized me by the neck and crushed me.^(B)
He has made me his target;^(C)
13     his archers surround me.^(D)
Without pity, he pierces^(E) my kidneys
    and spills my gall on the ground.
¹⁴ Again and again^(F) he bursts upon me;
    he rushes at me like a warrior.^(G)

¹⁵ “I have sewed sackcloth^(H) over my skin
    and buried my brow in the dust.^(I)
16 My face is red with weeping,^(J)
    dark shadows ring my eyes;^(K)
17 yet my hands have been free of violence^(L)
    and my prayer is pure.^(M)

¹⁸ “Earth, do not cover my blood;^(N)
    may my cry^(O) never be laid to rest!^(P)
19 Even now my witness^(Q) is in heaven;^(R)
    my advocate is on high.^(S)
20 My intercessor^(T) is my friend^[a](U)
    as my eyes pour out^(V) tears^(W) to God;
²¹ on behalf of a man he pleads^(X) with God
    as one pleads for a friend.

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

²¹ “Have pity on me, my friends,^(A) have pity,
    for the hand of God has struck^(B) me.
²² Why do you pursue^(C) me as God does?^(D)
    Will you never get enough of my flesh?^(E)

²³ “Oh, that my words were recorded,
    that they were written on a scroll,^(F)
24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool^(G) on^[a] lead,
    or engraved in rock forever!^(H)
25 I know that my redeemer^[b](I) lives,^(J)
    and that in the end he will stand on the earth.^[c]
26 And after my skin has been destroyed,
    yet^[d] in^[e] my flesh I will see God;^(K)
27 I myself will see him
    with my own eyes^(L)—I, and not another.
    How my heart yearns^(M) within me!