11 Because of all my adversaries I have become (A)a reproach,
    especially to my (B)neighbors,
and an object of dread to my acquaintances;
    those who see me in the street (C)flee from me.
12 I have been (D)forgotten like one who is dead;
    I have become like (E)a broken vessel.
13 For I (F)hear the whispering of many—
    terror on every side!—
(G)as they scheme together against me,
    as they plot to take my life.

14 But I (H)trust in you, O Lord;
    I say, “You are my God.”
15 My (I)times are in your hand;
    (J)rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
16 (K)Make your face shine on your servant;
    save me in your steadfast love!
17 O Lord, (L)let me not be put to shame,
    for I call upon you;
let the wicked be put to shame;
    let them go (M)silently to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be mute,
    which (N)speak (O)insolently against the righteous
    in pride and contempt.

19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness,
    which you have stored up for those who fear you
and worked for those who take refuge in you,
    (P)in the sight of the children of mankind!
20 In (Q)the cover of your presence you hide them
    from the plots of men;
you (R)store them in your shelter
    from the strife of tongues.

21 Blessed be the Lord,
    for he has wondrously (S)shown his steadfast love to me
    when I was in (T)a besieged city.
22 I had said in my (U)alarm,[a]
    “I am (V)cut off from (W)your sight.”
But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy
    when I cried to you for help.

23 Love the Lord, all you his (X)saints!
    The Lord preserves the faithful
    but abundantly (Y)repays the one who acts in pride.
24 (Z)Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
    all you who wait for the Lord!

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 31:22 Or in my haste

11 Because of all my enemies,(A)
    I am the utter contempt(B) of my neighbors(C)
and an object of dread to my closest friends—
    those who see me on the street flee from me.
12 I am forgotten as though I were dead;(D)
    I have become like broken pottery.
13 For I hear many whispering,(E)
    “Terror on every side!”(F)
They conspire against me(G)
    and plot to take my life.(H)

14 But I trust(I) in you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times(J) are in your hands;
    deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
    from those who pursue me.
16 Let your face shine(K) on your servant;
    save me in your unfailing love.(L)
17 Let me not be put to shame,(M) Lord,
    for I have cried out to you;
but let the wicked be put to shame
    and be silent(N) in the realm of the dead.
18 Let their lying lips(O) be silenced,
    for with pride and contempt
    they speak arrogantly(P) against the righteous.

19 How abundant are the good things(Q)
    that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you bestow in the sight of all,(R)
    on those who take refuge(S) in you.
20 In the shelter(T) of your presence you hide(U) them
    from all human intrigues;(V)
you keep them safe in your dwelling
    from accusing tongues.

21 Praise be to the Lord,(W)
    for he showed me the wonders of his love(X)
    when I was in a city under siege.(Y)
22 In my alarm(Z) I said,
    “I am cut off(AA) from your sight!”
Yet you heard my cry(AB) for mercy
    when I called to you for help.

23 Love the Lord, all his faithful people!(AC)
    The Lord preserves those who are true to him,(AD)
    but the proud he pays back(AE) in full.
24 Be strong and take heart,(AF)
    all you who hope in the Lord.

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