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22 For when a few years have come,
    I will go the way of no return.

17 “My spirit is consumed.
    My days are extinct,
    and the grave is ready for me.
Surely there are mockers with me.
    My eye dwells on their provocation.

“Now give a pledge. Be collateral for me with yourself.
    Who is there who will strike hands with me?
For you have hidden their heart from understanding,
    Therefore you will not exalt them.
He who denounces his friends for plunder,
    Even the eyes of his children will fail.

“But he has made me a byword of the people.
    They spit in my face.
My eye also is dim by reason of sorrow.
    All my members are as a shadow.
Upright men will be astonished at this.
    The innocent will stir himself up against the godless.
Yet the righteous will hold to his way.
    He who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.

22 “Only a few years will pass
    before I take the path of no return.(A)

17 My spirit(B) is broken,
    my days are cut short,(C)
    the grave awaits me.(D)
Surely mockers(E) surround me;(F)
    my eyes must dwell on their hostility.

“Give me, O God, the pledge you demand.(G)
    Who else will put up security(H) for me?(I)
You have closed their minds to understanding;(J)
    therefore you will not let them triumph.
If anyone denounces their friends for reward,(K)
    the eyes of their children will fail.(L)

“God has made me a byword(M) to everyone,(N)
    a man in whose face people spit.(O)
My eyes have grown dim with grief;(P)
    my whole frame is but a shadow.(Q)
The upright are appalled at this;
    the innocent are aroused(R) against the ungodly.
Nevertheless, the righteous(S) will hold to their ways,
    and those with clean hands(T) will grow stronger.(U)