[1] My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.
[2] Are there not mockers with me? and does not my eye continue in their provocation?
[3] Lay down now, put me in a surety with you; who is he that will strike hands with me?
[4] For you have hid their heart from understanding: therefore shall you not exalt them.
[5] He that speaks flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.
[6] He has made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.
[7] My eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.
[8] Upright men shall be astonished at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.
[9] The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that has clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
[10] But as for you all, do you return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.
[11] My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.
[12] They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
[13] If I wait, the grave is my house: I have made my bed in the darkness.
[14] I have said to corruption, You are my father: to the worm, You are my mother, and my sister.
[15] And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
[16] They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.
