Readings for Lent and Easter

¹² Many enemies surround me like bulls;
    they are all around me,
    like fierce bulls from the land of Bashan.
¹³ They open their mouths like lions,
    roaring and tearing at me.

¹⁴ My strength is gone,
    gone like water spilled on the ground.
All my bones are out of joint;
    my heart is like melted wax.
¹⁵ My throat^[a] is as dry as dust,
    and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
You have left me for dead in the dust.

¹⁶ An evil gang is around me;
    like a pack of dogs they close in on me;
    they tear at^[b] my hands and feet.
¹⁷ All my bones can be seen.
    My enemies look at me and stare.
^18 (A)They gamble for my clothes
    and divide them among themselves.