^{1 Ref} "My spirit is consumed, my days are extinct, And the grave is ready for me.

^{2 Ref} Surely there are mockers with me, My eye dwells on their provocation.

^{3 Ref} "Now give a pledge, be collateral for me with yourself. Who is there who will strike hands with me?

^{4 Ref} For you have hidden their heart from understanding, Therefore shall you not exalt them.

^{5 Ref} He who denounces his friends for a prey, Even the eyes of his children shall fail.

^{6 Ref} "But he has made me a byword of the people. They spit in my face.

^{7 Ref} My eye also is dim by reason of sorrow. All my members are as a shadow.

^{8 Ref} Upright men shall be astonished at this. The innocent shall stir up himself against the godless.

^{9 Ref} Yet shall the righteous hold on his way. He who has clean hands shall grow stronger and stronger.

^{10 Ref} But as for you all, come on now again; I shall not find a wise man among you.

^{11 Ref} My days are past, my plans are broken off, As are the thoughts of my heart.

^{12 Ref} They change the night into day, Saying 'The light is near' in the presence of darkness.

^{13 Ref} If I look for Sheol as my house, If I have spread my couch in the darkness,

^{14 Ref} If I have said to corruption, 'You are my father;' To the worm, 'My mother,' and 'my sister;'

^{15 Ref} Where then is my hope? As for my hope, who shall see it?

^{16 Ref} Shall it go down with me to the gates of Sheol, Or descend together into the dust?"