Readings for Lent and Easter
4 Those who hate me without any reason
are more than the hairs on my head.
Many people who don’t have any reason to be my enemies
are trying to destroy me.
They force me to give back
what I didn’t steal.
5 God, you know how foolish I’ve been.
My guilt is not hidden from you.
6 Lord, you are the Lord who rules over all.
May those who put their hope in you not be dishonored because of me.
You are the God of Israel.
May those who worship you not be put to shame because of me.
7 Because of you, people laugh at me.
My face is covered with shame.
8 I’m an outsider to my own family.
I’m a stranger to my own mother’s children.
9 My great love for your house destroys me.
Those who make fun of you make fun of me also.
10 When I weep and go without eating,
they laugh at me.
11 When I put on rough clothing to show how sad I am,
people make jokes about me.
12 Those who gather in public places make fun of me.
Those who get drunk make up songs about me.
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.