³ For I recognize my rebellion;
    it haunts me day and night.

¹² For our sins are piled up before God
    and testify against us.
    Yes, we know what sinners we are.

¹³ People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
    but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

¹⁸ But I confess my sins;
    I am deeply sorry for what I have done.

⁵ Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
    and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
    And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude

²⁵ Let us now lie down in shame
    and cover ourselves with dishonor,
for we and our ancestors have sinned
    against the Lord our God.
From our childhood to this day
    we have never obeyed him.”

¹² For troubles surround me—
    too many to count!
My sins pile up so high
    I can’t see my way out.
They outnumber the hairs on my head.
    I have lost all courage.

²⁷ He will declare to his friends,
‘I sinned and twisted the truth,
    but it was not worth it.^[a]