¹⁸ A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
    but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.^(A)

¹⁶ For he never thought of doing a kindness,
    but hounded to death the poor
    and the needy^(A) and the brokenhearted.^(B)
17 He loved to pronounce a curse—
    may it come back on him.^(C)
He found no pleasure in blessing—
    may it be far from him.
¹⁸ He wore cursing^(D) as his garment;
    it entered into his body like water,^(E)
    into his bones like oil.
¹⁹ May it be like a cloak wrapped^(F) about him,
    like a belt tied forever around him.
²⁰ May this be the Lord’s payment^(G) to my accusers,
    to those who speak evil^(H) of me.