2[Are there] not mockers with me? and does not my eye continue in their provocation?

3Lay down now, put me in a surety with youⁱ; who [is] he [that] will strike hands with me?

4For youⁱ have hid their heart from understanding: therefore shall youⁱ not exalt [them].

5He that speaks flattery to [his] friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.

6He has made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tambourine.

7Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members [are] as a shadow.

8Upright [men] shall be astonished at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.

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

10But as for you all, do you^2f return, and come now: for I cannot find [one] wise [man] among you.

11My days are past, my purposes are broken off, [even] the thoughts of my heart.

12They change the night into day: the light [is] short because of darkness.

13If I wait, the grave [is] my house: I have made my bed in the darkness.

14I have said to corruption, youⁱ [are] my father: to the worm, [youⁱ are] my mother, and my sister.

15And where [is] now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?

16They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when [our] rest together [is] in the dust.