Hear me, LORD, when I call to you! Be merciful and answer me!

Hear my prayer, O God; don't turn away from my plea!

Listen to me and answer me; I am worn out by my worries.

From the depths of my despair I call to you, LORD.

Hear my cry, O Lord; listen to my call for help!

I call to you, LORD; help me now! Listen to me when I call to you.

LORD, hear my prayer! In your righteousness listen to my plea; answer me in your faithfulness!

My enemies have hunted me down and completely defeated me. They have put me in a dark prison, and I am like those who died long ago.

"From the bottom of the pit, O LORD, I cried out to you,

And when I begged you to listen to my cry, you heard.

Protect me as you would your very eyes; hide me in the shadow of your wings

from the attacks of the wicked. Deadly enemies surround me;

I hear many enemies whispering; terror is all around me. They are making plans against me, plotting to kill me.

I am always in your care; save me from my enemies, from those who persecute me.

I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me; he freed me from all my fears.

All day long my opponents attack me. There are so many who fight against me.

I trust in God and am not afraid; I praise him for what he has promised. What can a mere human being do to me?

One night Paul had a vision in which the Lord said to him, "Do not be afraid, but keep on speaking and do not give up,

for I am with you. No one will be able to harm you, for many in this city are my people."

and said, 'Don't be afraid, Paul! You must stand before the Emperor. And God in his goodness to you has spared the lives of all those who are sailing with you.'