1 My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves {are ready} for me. {breath...: or, spirit is spent}
2 {Are there} not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation? {continue: Heb. lodge}
3 Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who {is} he {that} will strike hands with me?
4 For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt {them}.
5 He that speaketh flattery to {his} friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.
6 He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret. {aforetime: or, before them}
7 Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members {are} as a shadow. {my members: or, my thoughts}
8 Upright {men} shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.
9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. {be...: Heb. add strength}
10 But as for you all, do ye 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. {the thoughts: Heb. the possessions}
12 They change the night into day: the light {is} short because of darkness. {short: Heb. near}
13 If I wait, the grave {is} mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.
14 I have said to corruption, Thou {art} my father: to the worm, {Thou art} my mother, and my sister. {said: Heb. cried, or, called}
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.