¹ My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves [are ready] for me. ² Are there not mockers with me? and does not my eye continue in their provocation? ³ Lay down now, put me in a guarantee with you; who is he that will strike hands with me? ⁴ For you have hid their heart from understanding: therefore will you not exalt [them]. ⁵ He that speaks flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children will fail. ⁶ He has made me also a byword of the people and aforetime I was as a tabret. ⁷ my eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow. ⁸ Upright men will be astonied at this, and the innocent will stir up himself against the hypocrite. ⁹ The righteous also will hold on his way, and he that has clean hands will be stronger and stronger. ¹⁰ But as for you all, do you return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise [man] among you. ¹¹ My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart. ¹² They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness. ¹³ If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness. ¹⁴ I have said to corruption, you are my father: to the worm, you are my mother, and my sister. ¹⁵ And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who will see it? ¹⁶ They will go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.