Chapter 17

My breath is corrupt,²⁷ my days are extinct,⁸ the graves [are ready] for me.

[Are there] not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue⁴ in their provocation?⁵³

Lay down³ now, put me in a surety³ with thee; who [is] he [that] will strike¹¹ hands with me?

For thou hast hid¹ their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt³⁴ [them].

He that speaketh⁵⁵ flattery to [his] friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.⁴

He hath made⁵² me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.

Mine eye also is dim⁴ by reason of sorrow, and all my members [are] as a shadow.

Upright [men] shall be astonied⁴ at this, and the innocent shall stir up¹¹³ himself against the hypocrite.

The righteous also shall hold on⁴ his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be⁵⁵ stronger and stronger.

But as for you all, do ye return,⁴ and come³ now: for I cannot find⁴ [one] wise [man] among you.

My days are past,¹ my purposes are broken off,⁸ [even] the thoughts of my heart.

They change⁴ the night into day: the light [is] short because of darkness.

If I wait,¹⁷ the grave [is] mine house: I have made¹⁴ my bed in the darkness.

I have said¹ to corruption, Thou [art] my father: to the worm, [Thou art] my mother, and my sister.

And where [is] now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see⁴ it?

They shall go down⁴ to the bars of the pit, when [our] rest together [is] in the dust.