[1] God blesses those who are kind to the poor. He helps them out of their troubles. [2] He protects them and keeps them alive; he publicly honors them and destroys the power of their enemies. [3] He nurses them when they are sick and soothes their pains and worries. [4] "O Lord," I prayed, "be kind and heal me, for I have confessed my sins." [5] But my enemies say, "May he soon die and be forgotten!" [6] They act so friendly when they come to visit me while I am sick; but all the time they hate me and are glad that I am lying there upon my bed of pain. And when they leave, they laugh and mock. [7] They whisper together about what they will do when I am dead. [8] "It's fatal, whatever it is," they say. "He'll never get out of that bed!" [9] Even my best friend has turned against me-a man I completely trusted; how often we ate together. [10] Lord, don't you desert me! Be gracious, Lord, and make me well again so I can pay them back! [11] I know you are pleased with me because you haven't let my enemies triumph over me. [12] You have preserved me because I was honest; you have admitted me forever to your presence. [13] Bless the Lord, the God of Israel, who exists from everlasting ages past-and on into everlasting eternity ahead. Amen and amen!
