17 My spirit is broken;
the days of my life are almost gone.
The grave is waiting for me.
2 Those who laugh at me surround me;
I watch them insult me.
3 “God, make me a promise.
No one will make a pledge for me.
4 You have closed their minds to understanding.
Do not let them win over me.
5 People might speak against their friends for money,
but if they do, the eyes of their children go blind.
6 “God has made my name a curse word;
people spit in my face.
7 My sight has grown weak because of my sadness,
and my body is as thin as a shadow.
8 Honest people are upset about this;
innocent people are upset with those who do wrong.
9 But those who do right will continue to do right,
and those whose hands are not dirty with sin will grow stronger.
10 “But, all of you, come and try again!
I do not find a wise person among you.
11 My days are gone, and my plans have been destroyed,
along with the desires of my heart.
12 These men think night is day;
when it is dark, they say, ‘Light is near.’
13 If the only home I hope for is the grave,
if I spread out my bed in darkness,
14 if I say to the grave, ‘You are my father,’
and to the worm, ‘You are my mother’ or ‘You are my sister,’
15 where, then, is my hope?
Who can see any hope for me?
16 Will hope go down to the gates of death?
Will we go down together into the dust?”
