[1] "I am sick and near to death; the grave is ready to receive me. [2] I am surrounded by mockers. I see them everywhere. [3] Will no one anywhere confirm my innocence? But you, O God, have kept them back from understanding this. Oh, do not let them triumph. [5] If they accept bribes to denounce their friends, their children shall go blind. [6] "He has made me a mockery among the people; they spit in my face. [7] My eyes are dim with weeping and I am but a shadow of my former self. [8] Fair-minded men are astonished when they see me. "Yet, finally, the innocent shall come out on top, above the godless; [9] the righteous shall move onward and forward; those with pure hearts shall become stronger and stronger. [10] "As for you-all of you please go away; for I do not find a wise man among you. [11] My good days are in the past. My hopes have disappeared. My heart's desires are broken. [12] They say that night is day and day is night; how they pervert the truth! [13] "If I die, I go out into darkness, and call the grave my father, and the worm my mother and my sister. [15] Where then is my hope? Can anyone find any? [16] No, my hope will go down with me to the grave. We shall rest together in the dust!"
