1But now they that are younger than I, mock me: yea, they whose fathers I have refused to set with the dogs of my flocks.
2For whereto should the strength of their hands have served me, seeing age perished in them?
3For poverty and famine they were solitary, fleeing into the wilderness, which is dark, desolate and waste.
4They cut up nettles by the bushes, and the juniper roots was their meat.
5They were chased forth from among men: they shouted at them, as at a thief.
6Therefore they dwelt in the clefts of rivers, in the holes of the earth and rocks.
7They roared among the bushes, and under the thistles they gathered themselves.
8They were the children of fools, and the children of villains, which were more vile than the earth.
9And now am I their song, and I am their talk.
10They abhor me, and flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.
11Because that God hath loosed my cord and humbled me, they have loosed the bridle before me.
12The youth rise up at my right hand: they have pushed my feet, and have trode on me as on the paths of their destruction.
13They have destroyed my paths: they took pleasure at my calamity, they had no help.
14They came as a great breach of waters, and under this calamity they come on heaps.
15Fear is turned upon me: and they pursue my soul as the wind, and mine health passeth away as a cloud.
16Therefore my soul is now poured out upon me, and the days of affliction have taken hold on me.
17It pierceth my bones in the night, and my sinews take no rest.
18For the great vehemency is my garments changed, which compasseth me about, as the collar of my coat.
19He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like ashes and dust.
20When I cry unto thee, thou dost not hear me, neither regardest me, when I stand up.
21Thou turnest thyself cruelly against me, and art enemy unto me with the strength of thine hand.
22Thou takest me up and causest me to ride upon the wind, and makest my strength to fail.
23Surely I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all the living.
24Doubtless none can stretch his hand unto the grave, though they cry in his destruction.
25Did not I weep with him that was in trouble? was not my soul in heaviness for the poor?
26Yet when I looked for good, evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.
27My bowels did boil without rest: for the days of affliction are come upon me.
28I went mourning without sun: I stood up in the Congregation and cried.
29I am a brother to the Dragons, and a companion to the Ostriches.
30My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burnt with heat.
31Therefore mine harp is turned to mourning, and mine organs into the voice of them that weep.