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17 My spirit is broken, my days are spent (snuffed out); the grave is ready for me.

Surely there are mockers and mockery around me, and my eye dwells on their obstinacy, insults, and resistance.

Give me a pledge with Yourself [acknowledge my innocence before my death]; who is there that will give security for me?

But their hearts [Lord] You have closed to understanding; therefore You will not let them triumph [by giving them a verdict against me].

He who denounces his friends [in order to make them] a prey and get a share, the eyes of his children shall fail [to find food].

But He has made me a byword among the people, and they spit before my face.

My eye has grown dim because of grief, and all my members are [wasted away] like a shadow.

Upright men shall be astonished and appalled at this, and the innocent shall stir himself up against the godless and polluted.

Yet shall the righteous (those upright and in right standing with God) hold to their ways, and he who has clean hands shall grow stronger and stronger.(A)

10 But as for you, come on again, all of you, though I find not a wise man among you.

11 My days are past, my purposes and plans are frustrated; even the thoughts (desires and possessions) of my heart [are broken off].

12 These [thoughts] extend from the night into the day, [so that] the light is short because of darkness.

13 But if I look to Sheol (the unseen state) as my abode, if I spread my couch in the darkness,

14 If I say to the grave and corruption, You are my father, and to the worm [that feeds on decay], You are my mother and my sister [because I will soon be closest to you],

15 Where then is my hope? And if I have hope, who will see [its fulfillment]?

16 [My hope] shall go down to the bars of Sheol (the unseen state) when once there is rest in the dust.

17 My spirit(A) is broken,
    my days are cut short,(B)
    the grave awaits me.(C)
Surely mockers(D) surround me;(E)
    my eyes must dwell on their hostility.

“Give me, O God, the pledge you demand.(F)
    Who else will put up security(G) for me?(H)
You have closed their minds to understanding;(I)
    therefore you will not let them triumph.
If anyone denounces their friends for reward,(J)
    the eyes of their children will fail.(K)

“God has made me a byword(L) to everyone,(M)
    a man in whose face people spit.(N)
My eyes have grown dim with grief;(O)
    my whole frame is but a shadow.(P)
The upright are appalled at this;
    the innocent are aroused(Q) against the ungodly.
Nevertheless, the righteous(R) will hold to their ways,
    and those with clean hands(S) will grow stronger.(T)

10 “But come on, all of you, try again!
    I will not find a wise man among you.(U)
11 My days have passed,(V) my plans are shattered.
    Yet the desires of my heart(W)
12 turn night into day;(X)
    in the face of the darkness light is near.(Y)
13 If the only home I hope for is the grave,(Z)
    if I spread out my bed(AA) in the realm of darkness,(AB)
14 if I say to corruption,(AC) ‘You are my father,’
    and to the worm,(AD) ‘My mother’ or ‘My sister,’
15 where then is my hope—(AE)
    who can see any hope for me?(AF)
16 Will it go down to the gates of death?(AG)
    Will we descend together into the dust?”(AH)