1 MI ALIENTO está corrompido, acórtanse mis días, Y me está aparejado el sepulcro.

2 No hay conmigo sino escarnecedores, En cuya acrimonia se detienen mis ojos.

3 Pon ahora, dame fianza para litigar contigo: ¿Quién tocará ahora mi mano?

4 Porque á éstos has tú escondido su corazón de inteligencia: Por tanto, no los ensalzarás.

5 El que denuncia lisonjas á sus prójimos, Los ojos de sus hijos desfallezcan.

6 El me ha puesto por parábola de pueblos, Y delante de ellos he sido como tamboril.

7 Y mis ojos se oscurecieron de desabrimiento, Y mis pensamientos todos son como sombra.

8 Los rectos se maravillarán de esto, Y el inocente se levantará contra el hipócrita.

9 No obstante, proseguirá el justo su camino, Y el limpio de manos aumentará la fuerza.

10 Mas volved todos vosotros, y venid ahora, Que no hallaré entre vosotros sabio.

11 Pasáronse mis días, fueron arrancados mis pensamientos, Los designios de mi corazón.

12 Pusieron la noche por día, Y la luz se acorta delante de las tinieblas.

13 Si yo espero, el sepulcro es mi casa: Haré mi cama en las tinieblas.

14 A la huesa tengo dicho: Mi padre eres tú; A los gusanos: Mi madre y mi hermana.

15 ¿Dónde pues estará ahora mi esperanza? Y mi esperanza ¿quién la verá?

16 A los rincones de la huesa descenderán, Y juntamente descansarán en el polvo.

1 My spirit is broken, my days are ended, the last resting-place is ready for me.

2 Truly, those who make sport of me are round about me, and my eyes become dark because of their bitter laughing.

3 Be pleased, now, to be responsible for me to yourself; for there is no other who will put his hand in mine.

4 You have kept their hearts from wisdom: for this cause you will not give them honour.

5 As for him who is false to his friend for a reward, light will be cut off from the eyes of his children.

6 He has made me a word of shame to the peoples; I have become a mark for their sport.

7 My eyes have become dark because of my pain, and all my body is wasted to a shade.

8 The upright are surprised at this, and he who has done no wrong is troubled because of the evil-doers.

9 Still the upright keeps on his way, and he who has clean hands gets new strength.

10 But come back, now, all of you, come; and I will not see a wise man among you.

11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the desires of my heart.

12 They are changing night into day; they say, The light is near the dark.

13 If I am waiting for the underworld as my house, if I have made my bed in the dark;

14 If I say to the earth, You are my father; and to the worm, My mother and my sister;

15 Where then is my hope? and who will see my desire?

16 Will they go down with me into the underworld? Will we go down together into the dust?