¹⁵You understand, O LORD; remember me and attend to me. Avenge me against my persecutors. In Your patience, do not take me away. Know that I endure reproach for Your honor. ¹⁶Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became my joy and my heart’s delight. For I bear Your name, O LORD God of Hosts. ¹⁷I never sat with the band of revelers, nor did I celebrate with them. Because Your hand was on me, I sat alone, for You have filled me with indignation. ¹⁸Why is my pain unending, and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have indeed become like a mirage to me— water that is not there. ¹⁹ Therefore this is what the LORD says: “If you return, I will restore you; you will stand in My presence. And if you speak words that are noble instead of worthless, you will be My spokesman. It is they who must turn to you, but you must not turn to them. ²⁰Then I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to save and deliver you, declares the LORD. ²¹I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”

¹ Vindicate me, O LORD! For I have walked with integrity; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. ²Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind. ³For Your loving devotion is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth. ⁴I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites. ⁵I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit with the wicked. ⁶I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O LORD, ⁷to raise my voice in thanksgiving and declare all Your wonderful works. ⁸O LORD, I love the house where You dwell, the place where Your glory resides. ⁹Do not take my soul away with sinners, or my life with men of bloodshed, ¹⁰in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes. ¹¹But I will walk with integrity; redeem me and be merciful to me. ¹²My feet stand on level ground; in the congregations I will bless the LORD.

⁹ Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another. ¹¹Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer. ¹³Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited. ¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. ¹⁸If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.