Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

³ My days disappear like smoke,
and my bones are burning
    as though in a furnace.
⁴ I am wasting away like grass,
    and my appetite is gone.
⁵ My groaning never stops,
and my bones can be seen
    through my skin.
⁶ I am like a lonely owl
    in the desert
⁷ or a restless sparrow
    alone on a roof.

⁸ My enemies insult me all day,
and they use my name
    for a curse word.
⁹ Instead of food,
I have ashes to eat
    and tears to drink,
¹⁰ because you are furious
    and have thrown me aside.
¹¹ My life fades like a shadow
at the end of day
    and withers like grass.

¹² Our Lord, you are King forever
    and will always be famous.
¹³ You will show pity to Zion
    because the time has come.
¹⁴ We, your servants,
    love each stone in the city,
and we are sad to see them
    lying in the dirt.

¹⁵ Our Lord, the nations
    will honor you,
and all kings on earth
    will praise your glory.
¹⁶ You will rebuild
    the city of Zion.
Your glory will be seen,
¹⁷ and the prayers of the homeless
    will be answered.

¹⁶ In her right hand
    Wisdom holds a long life,
and in her left hand
    are wealth and honor.
¹⁷ Wisdom makes life pleasant
    and leads us safely along.
¹⁸ Wisdom is a life-giving tree,
the source of happiness
    for all who hold on to her.