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A Curse on Those Who Hate Jerusalem

¹A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me. Let all Israel repeat this:

²From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me, but they have never defeated me.

³My back is covered with cuts, as if a farmer had plowed long furrows.

⁴But the Lord is good; he has cut me free from the ropes of the ungodly.

⁵May all who hate Jerusalem be turned back in shameful defeat.

⁶May they be as useless as grass on a rooftop, turning yellow when only half grown,

⁷ignored by the harvester, despised by the binder.

⁸And may those who pass by refuse to give them this blessing: “The Lord bless you; we bless you in the Lord’s name.”