1 O Lord, take me away from sinful men. Keep me safe from men who want to hurt others.

2 T hey make sinful plans in their hearts. They always start wars.

3 T hey make their tongues sharp like a snake’s. And the poison of a snake is under their lips.

4 O Lord, keep me from the hands of the sinful. Keep me safe from men who want to hurt others and have planned to trip my feet.

5 T he proud have hidden a trap for me. With ropes they have spread a net. They have set traps for me beside the road.

6 I said to the Lord, “You are my God. Listen to the voice of my prayers, O Lord.

7 O God the Lord, the strength that saves me, You have covered my head in the day of battle.

8 O Lord, do not give the sinful what they want. Do not let their plans work, or they will be honored.

9 “ As for those who gather around me, may the wrong-doing of their lips come upon their heads.

10 M ay burning coals fall upon them. May they be thrown into the fire, into deep holes, and rise no more.

11 D o not let the man whose talking hurts people stand in the land. May trouble hurry to catch and destroy the man who wants to hurt others.”

12 I know that the Lord will stand by those who suffer and do what is right for the poor.

13 F or sure those who are right and good will give thanks to Your name. Those who are right will live with You.