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)”
¹¹ I said, “I will not again see the Lord himself^(D)
    in the land of the living;^(E)
no longer will I look on my fellow man,
    or be with those who now dwell in this world.
¹² Like a shepherd’s tent^(F) my house
    has been pulled down^(G) and taken from me.
Like a weaver I have rolled^(H) up my life,
    and he has cut me off from the loom;^(I)
    day and night^(J) you made an end of me.
¹³ I waited patiently^(K) till dawn,
    but like a lion he broke^(L) all my bones;^(M)
    day and night^(N) you made an end of me.
¹⁴ I cried like a swift or thrush,
    I moaned like a mourning dove.^(O)
My eyes grew weak^(P) as I looked to the heavens.
    I am being threatened; Lord, come to my aid!”^(Q)

³ I am overwhelmed with troubles^(A)
    and my life draws near to death.^(B)
4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit;^(C)
    I am like one without strength.^(D)
5 I am set apart with the dead,
    like the slain who lie in the grave,
whom you remember no more,
    who are cut off^(E) from your care.

¹⁶ I will not accuse^(A) them forever,
    nor will I always be angry,^(B)
for then they would faint away because of me—
    the very people^(C) I have created.

¹⁷ My breath is offensive to my wife;
    I am loathsome^(A) to my own family.

¹³ If the only home I hope for is the grave,^(A)
    if I spread out my bed^(B) in the realm of darkness,^(C)
14 if I say to corruption,^(D) ‘You are my father,’
    and to the worm,^(E) ‘My mother’ or ‘My sister,’

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