1 M y soul hath been weary of my life, I leave off my talking to myself, I speak in the bitterness of my soul.

“I hate my life. I will be free in my complaining. I will show how bitter I am in my soul when I speak.

2 I say unto God, `Do not condemn me, Let me know why Thou dost strive me.

I will say to God, ‘Do not say that I am guilty and punish me. Let me know why You work against me.

3 I s it good for Thee that Thou dost oppress? That Thou despisest the labour of Thy hands, And on the counsel of the wicked hast shone?

Do You think it is right for You to make it hard for me, to turn away from the work of Your hands and favor the plans of the sinful?

4 E yes of flesh hast Thou? As man seeth -- seest Thou?

Do You have eyes of flesh? Do You see as a man sees?

5 A s the days of man Thy days? Thy years as the days of a man?

Are Your days as the days of man, or Your years as man’s years,

6 T hat Thou inquirest for mine iniquity, And for my sin seekest?

that You should look for my wrong-doing and my sin?

7 F or Thou knowest that I am not wicked, And there is no deliverer from Thy hand.

You know that I am not guilty, yet there is no one who can take me away from Your hand.

8 T hy hands have taken pains about me, And they make me together round about, And Thou swallowest me up!

‘Your hands put me together and made me, and now would You destroy me?

9 R emember, I pray Thee, That as clay Thou hast made me, And unto dust Thou dost bring me back.

Remember that You have made me as clay. Would You turn me into dust again?

10 D ost Thou not as milk pour me out? And as cheese curdle me?

Did You not pour me out like milk and make me become hard like cheese?

11 S kin and flesh Thou dost put on me, And with bones and sinews dost fence me.

You have given me clothing of skin and flesh, and have tied me together with bones and cord.

12 L ife and kindness Thou hast done with me. And Thy inspection hath preserved my spirit.

You have given me life and loving-kindness. Your care has kept my spirit alive.

13 A nd these Thou hast laid up in Thy heart, I have known that this with Thee.

Yet You have hidden these things in Your heart. I know that this is in Your thoughts.

14 I f I sinned, then Thou hast observed me, And from mine iniquity dost not acquit me,

If I sin, You would see me, and would not free me from my guilt.

15 I f I have done wickedly -- wo to me, And righteously -- I lift not up my head, Full of shame -- then see my affliction,

If I am sinful, it would be bad for me! If I am right and good, I cannot lift my head for I am filled with shame and see all my trouble.

16 A nd it riseth -- as a lion Thou huntest me. And Thou turnest back -- Thou shewest Thyself wonderful in me.

If I would lift up my head, You would hunt me like a lion. Again You would show Your power against me.

17 T hou renewest Thy witnesses against me, And dost multiply Thine anger with me, Changes and warfare with me.

You would send new ones who would speak against me, and become more angry with me. You would send me more and more trouble.

18 A nd why from the womb Hast Thou brought me forth? I expire, and the eye doth not see me.

‘Why then did You let me be born? If only I had died and no one had seen me!

19 A s I had not been, I am, From the belly to the grave I am brought,

I should have been as if I had never lived, carried from my mother to the grave.’

20 A re not my days few? Cease then, and put from me, And I brighten up a little,

Are not my days few? Leave me alone, that I may find a little comfort

21 B efore I go, and return not, Unto a land of darkness and death-shade,

before I go to a place from which I will not return. I will go to the land of darkness and shadow.

22 A land of obscurity as thick darkness, Death-shade -- and no order, And the shining as thick darkness.'

It is the land of complete darkness and shadow and trouble, where the light is darkness.”