1 ¶ My breath is corrupt, my days are cut off, and the grave is ready for me.

2 N ow there are only mockers with me, upon whose bitterness my eye continues to gaze.

3 P ut up now, give me surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?

4 F or with these, thou hast hid their heart from understanding; therefore, thou shalt not exalt them.

5 H e that speaks flattery to his neighbour, even the eyes of his sons shall fail.

6 H e has made me a byword of the peoples; and before them I have been as a tambourine.

7 M y eyes are dim by reason of sorrow, and all my thoughts are as a shadow.

8 U pright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.

9 T he righteous shall hold on to his way, and he that has clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

10 ¶ But return all of you, and come now; for I shall not find one that is wise among you.

11 M y days are past, my thoughts were broken off, even the purposes of my heart.

12 T hey changed the night into day; the light is short because of the darkness.

13 I f I wait, Sheol is my house; I have made my bed in the darkness.

14 I have said to the pit, Thou art my father; to the worms, my mother, and my sister.

15 A nd where shall my hope be now? As for my hope, who shall see it?

16 T hey shall go down to the bars of Sheol, and together they shall rest in the dust.