Psalms 38:12-20

12My enemies prepare traps, because they want to kill me. They talk about ways to destroy me. They want to hurt me, so they talk about that all through the day.

13But I am like a deaf man who hears nothing. I am like a dumb man who says nothing.

14So I live like a man who cannot hear what people say. I refuse to argue against them.

15Yes, Lord, I wait for you to help me! I believe that you will answer me, my Lord and my God.

16I have prayed that my enemies will not laugh at me. If I slip and fall down, they will be very happy!

17I will soon fall down to the ground. I have nothing but pain all the time.

18But I agree that I have done wrong things. I am sorry about my sins.

19I have many enemies and they are strong. They have no reason to hate me.

20When I do good things, they do evil things to me in return! I try to do what is right, but they turn against me.