My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off. My lovers - Those who professed much affection for me; my friends, רעי reai, my companions, who never before left my company, stand aloof.
My kinsmen - קרובי kerobai, my neighbors, stand afar off. I am deserted by all, and they stand off because of נגעי nigi, my plague. They considered me as suffering under a Divine judgment; and, thinking me an accursed being, they avoided me lest they should be infected by my disease.