1My spirit is broken, my days are cut short, the grave is ready for me.

2Yet truly those that mock are with me, and on their offendings must my eye rest.

3And thou, [Creator!] attend, I pray thee, be my surety with thyself: who else is there that would strike hands with me?

4For thou hast concealed their heart against intelligence: therefore art thou not exalted [through them].

5Every one of them speaketh deceptively to his friends: may also the eyes of his children fail.

6And he hath placed me here as a by-word unto nations; and I become openly as a place of abomination.

7Therefore is my eye dim from vexation, and my limbs are all of them like a shadow.

8Upright men must be astonished at this, and the innocent must arouse himself against the hypocrite.

9Yet will the righteous hold firmly on to his way; and he that is clean of hands will acquire additional strength.

10But all of you, do only return, and come but [to me]: and yet I shall not find among you one wise man.

11My days are past, my resolves are broken off, [even the thoughts]—the possessions of my heart.

12These would change the night into day, the light as near in the presence of darkness.—

13When I hope for the nether world as my house; in the darkness have I spread my couch;

14When I call to corruption, Thou art my father: Thou art my mother, and my sister, to the worms.

15Ay, where is then my hope? as for my hope, who will see it [fulfilled]?

16Let then my limbs sink down to the nether world: truly in the dust alone there is rest for all.