¹⁰ I said, “In the prime of my life^(A)
    must I go through the gates of death^(B)
    and be robbed of the rest of my years?^(C)”

²⁴ So I said:
“Do not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days;
    your years go on^(A) through all generations.

¹⁸ They loathed all food^(A)
    and drew near the gates of death.^(B)

⁷ Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath;^(A)
    my eyes will never see happiness again.^(B)

¹¹ My days have passed,^(A) my plans are shattered.
    Yet the desires of my heart^(B)
12 turn night into day;^(C)
    in the face of the darkness light is near.^(D)
13 If the only home I hope for is the grave,^(E)
    if I spread out my bed^(F) in the realm of darkness,^(G)
14 if I say to corruption,^(H) ‘You are my father,’
    and to the worm,^(I) ‘My mother’ or ‘My sister,’
¹⁵ where then is my hope—^(J)
    who can see any hope for me?^(K)
16 Will it go down to the gates of death?^(L)
    Will we descend together into the dust?”^(M)

¹¹ “What strength do I have, that I should still hope?
    What prospects, that I should be patient?^(A)