1 "My spirit is consumed.

My days are extinct

and the grave is ready for me.

2 Surely there are mockers with me.

My eye dwells on their provocation.

3 "Now give a pledge. Be collateral for me with yourself.

Who is there who will strike hands with me?

4 For you have hidden their heart from understanding,

therefore you will not exalt them.

5 He who denounces his friends for plunder,

even the eyes of his children will fail.

6 "But he has made me a byword of the people.

They spit in my face.

7 My eye also is dim by reason of sorrow.

All my members are as a shadow.

8 Upright men will be astonished at this.

The innocent will stir himself up against the godless.

9 Yet the righteous will hold to his way.

He who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.

10 But as for you all, come back.

I will not find a wise man among you.

11 My days are past.

My plans are broken off,

as are the thoughts of my heart.

12 They change the night into day,

saying ‘The light is near’ in the presence of darkness.

13 If I look for Sheol as my house,

if I have spread my couch in the darkness,

14 if I have said to corruption, ‘You are my father,’

and to the worm, ‘My mother,’ and ‘My sister,’

15 where then is my hope?

As for my hope, who will see it?

16 Shall it go down with me to the gates of Sheol,

or descend together into the dust?"

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.