17
1 My spirit is broken, my days are cut short, the grave is ready for me. 2 Yet truly those that mock are with me, and on their offendings must my eye rest. 3 And thou, [Creator!] attend, I pray thee, be my surety with thyself: who else is there that would strike hands with me? 4 For thou hast concealed their heart against intelligence: therefore art thou not exalted [through them]. 5 Every one of them speaketh deceptively to his friends: may also the eyes of his children fail. 6 And he hath placed me here as a by-word unto nations; and I become openly as a place of abomination. 7 Therefore is my eye dim from vexation, and my limbs are all of them like a shadow. 8 Upright men must be astonished at this, and the innocent must arouse himself against the hypocrite. 9 Yet will the righteous hold firmly on to his way; and he that is clean of hands will acquire additional strength. 10 But all of you, do only return, and come but [to me]: and yet I shall not find among you one wise man. 11 My days are past, my resolves are broken off, [even the thoughts]—the possessions of my heart. 12 These would change the night into day, the light as near in the presence of darkness.— 13 When I hope for the nether world as my house; in the darkness have I spread my couch; 14 When I call to corruption, Thou art my father: Thou art my mother, and my sister, to the worms. 15 Ay, where is then my hope? as for my hope, who will see it [fulfilled]? 16 Let then my limbs sink down to the nether world: truly in the dust alone there is rest for all.