Readings for Lent and Easter
4 I am weary with crying out;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
from looking for my God.(A)
5 More numerous than the hairs of my head
are those who hate me without cause.(B)
Those who would destroy me are mighty,
my enemies without reason.
Must I now restore
what I did not steal?[a]
II
6 God, you know my folly;
my faults are not hidden from you.
7 Let those who wait in hope for you, Lord of hosts,
not be shamed because of me.
Let those who seek you, God of Israel,(C)
not be disgraced because of me.
8 For it is on your account I bear insult,
that disgrace covers my face.(D)
9 I have become an outcast to my kindred,
a stranger to my mother’s children.(E)
10 Because zeal for your house has consumed me,[b]
I am scorned by those who scorn you.(F)
11 When I humbled my spirit with fasting,(G)
this led only to scorn.
12 When I clothed myself in sackcloth;
I became a byword for them.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.