² Hide me from the conspiracy^(C) of the wicked,^(D)
    from the plots of evildoers.
³ They sharpen their tongues like swords^(E)
    and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.^(F)
4 They shoot from ambush at the innocent;^(G)
    they shoot suddenly, without fear.^(H)

⁵ They encourage each other in evil plans,
    they talk about hiding their snares;^(I)
    they say, “Who will see it^[b]?”^(J)
6 They plot injustice and say,
    “We have devised a perfect plan!”
    Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

⁷ But God will shoot them with his arrows;
    they will suddenly be struck down.
⁸ He will turn their own tongues against them^(K)
    and bring them to ruin;
    all who see them will shake their heads^(L) in scorn.^(M)
9 All people will fear;^(N)
    they will proclaim the works of God
    and ponder what he has done.^(O)

¹⁰ The righteous will rejoice in the Lord^(P)
    and take refuge in him;^(Q)
    all the upright in heart will glory in him!^(R)

² “When will you end these speeches?^(B)
    Be sensible, and then we can talk.
³ Why are we regarded as cattle^(C)
    and considered stupid in your sight?^(D)
4 You who tear yourself^(E) to pieces in your anger,^(F)
    is the earth to be abandoned for your sake?
    Or must the rocks be moved from their place?^(G)

⁵ “The lamp of a wicked man is snuffed out;^(H)
    the flame of his fire stops burning.^(I)
6 The light in his tent^(J) becomes dark;^(K)
    the lamp beside him goes out.^(L)
7 The vigor^(M) of his step is weakened;^(N)
    his own schemes^(O) throw him down.^(P)
8 His feet thrust him into a net;^(Q)
    he wanders into its mesh.
⁹ A trap seizes him by the heel;
    a snare^(R) holds him fast.^(S)
10 A noose^(T) is hidden for him on the ground;
    a trap^(U) lies in his path.^(V)
11 Terrors^(W) startle him on every side^(X)
    and dog^(Y) his every step.
¹² Calamity^(Z) is hungry^(AA) for him;
    disaster^(AB) is ready for him when he falls.^(AC)
13 It eats away parts of his skin;^(AD)
    death’s firstborn devours his limbs.^(AE)
14 He is torn from the security of his tent^(AF)
    and marched off to the king^(AG) of terrors.^(AH)
15 Fire resides^[a] in his tent;^(AI)
    burning sulfur^(AJ) is scattered over his dwelling.
¹⁶ His roots dry up below^(AK)
    and his branches wither above.^(AL)
17 The memory of him perishes from the earth;^(AM)
    he has no name^(AN) in the land.^(AO)
18 He is driven from light into the realm of darkness^(AP)
    and is banished^(AQ) from the world.^(AR)
19 He has no offspring^(AS) or descendants^(AT) among his people,
    no survivor^(AU) where once he lived.^(AV)
20 People of the west are appalled^(AW) at his fate;^(AX)
    those of the east are seized with horror.
²¹ Surely such is the dwelling^(AY) of an evil man;^(AZ)
    such is the place^(BA) of one who does not know God.”^(BB)

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”^[a](E)