Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;(A)
    my eyes grow weak with sorrow,(B)
    my soul and body(C) with grief.
10 My life is consumed by anguish(D)
    and my years by groaning;(E)
my strength fails(F) because of my affliction,[a](G)
    and my bones grow weak.(H)
11 Because of all my enemies,(I)
    I am the utter contempt(J) of my neighbors(K)
and an object of dread to my closest friends—
    those who see me on the street flee from me.
12 I am forgotten as though I were dead;(L)
    I have become like broken pottery.
13 For I hear many whispering,(M)
    “Terror on every side!”(N)
They conspire against me(O)
    and plot to take my life.(P)

14 But I trust(Q) in you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times(R) are in your hands;
    deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
    from those who pursue me.
16 Let your face shine(S) on your servant;
    save me in your unfailing love.(T)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 31:10 Or guilt

13 “Keep silent(A) and let me speak;(B)
    then let come to me what may.(C)
14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy
    and take my life in my hands?(D)
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope(E) in him;(F)
    I will surely[a] defend my ways to his face.(G)
16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,(H)
    for no godless(I) person would dare come before him!(J)
17 Listen carefully to what I say;(K)
    let my words ring in your ears.
18 Now that I have prepared my case,(L)
    I know I will be vindicated.(M)
19 Can anyone bring charges against me?(N)
    If so, I will be silent(O) and die.(P)

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Footnotes

  1. Job 13:15 Or He will surely slay me; I have no hope — / yet I will

21 For to me, to live is Christ(A) and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart(B) and be with Christ,(C) which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Life Worthy of the Gospel

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy(D) of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm(E) in the one Spirit,[a] striving together(F) as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you(G) on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer(H) for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle(I) you saw(J) I had, and now hear(K) that I still have.

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Footnotes

  1. Philippians 1:27 Or in one spirit

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