[1] My spirit is broken. The days of my life are almost gone. The grave is waiting for me. [2] Those who laugh at me surround me. I watch them insult me. [3] "God, make me a promise. No one else will make a promise for me. [4] You have closed the minds of my friends so they do not understand. So you will not let them win over me. [5] A man might speak against his friends for money. But if he does, the eyes of his children go blind. [6] "God has caused people to use my name as a curse word. People spit in my face. [7] My sight has grown weak because of my sadness. My body is so thin it's like a shadow. [8] Honest people are upset about this. Innocent people are upset with people who do wrong. [9] But people who do right will continue to do right. And those whose hands are not dirty with sin will grow stronger. [10] "But, all of you, come and try again! I do not find a wise man among you! [11] My days are gone, and my plans have been destroyed. The desires of my heart are also destroyed. [12] These men think night is day. When it is dark, they say, 'Light is near.' [13] It might be that the only home I hope for is where the dead are. I might spread out my bed in darkness. [14] I might say to the grave, 'You are my father.' And I might say to the worm, 'You are my mother' or 'You are my sister.' [15] If these things are true, I have no hope. No one can see any hope for me. [16] Hope will go down to the gates of death. We will go down together into the dust."
