As for me, I have not hurried away from being a shepherd to follow you: neither have I desired the woeful day; you know: that which came out of my lips was right before you.
But you, O LORD, know me: you have seen me, and tried my heart toward you: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
But if you will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and my eye shall weep bitterly, and run down with tears, because the LORD’S flock is taken away captive.
O LORD, you know: remember me, and visit me, and avenge me on my persecutors; take me not away in your longsuffering: know that for your sake I have suffered rebuke.
Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have dug a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before you to speak good for them, and to turn away your anger from them.
Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with holding back, and I could not restrain myself.
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conduct in the world, and more abundantly towards you.