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I am ready to give up.
My life is almost gone,
the grave is waiting for me.
<2> People stand around me and laugh at me.
I watch them as they tease and insult me.
<3> "God, give me some support.
No one else will!
<4> You have closed my friends' minds,
and they don't understand.
Please don't let them win.
<5> You know what people say,
'A man neglects his own children
to help his friends.'[39]
But my friends have turned against me.
<6> God has made my name
a bad word to everyone.
People spit in my face.
<7> My eyes have almost become blind
because I am very sad and in great pain.
My whole body has become very thin,
like a shadow.
<8> Good people are upset
that this could happen.
The innocent become angry with
those who make fun of God.
<9> But good people continue to do what is right.
Those who are pure grow stronger and stronger.
<10> "But come on, all of you,
try to show me that it is all my fault.
None of you are wise.
<11> My life is passing away.
My plans are destroyed.
My hope is gone.
<12> Everything is confused-
night is day, and evening comes when it should be dawn.
<13> "I might hope for the grave
to be my new home.
I might hope to make my bed
in the dark grave.
<14> I might say to the grave,
'You are my father,'
and to the worms,
'My mother,' or 'My sister.'
<15> But if that is my only hope,
I have no hope at all.
If that is my only hope,
people have found me no hope at all.
<16> Will it also go down to the place of death?
Will we go down into the dirt together?"
© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.