² “My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer
    because I am greatly disturbed.^(B)
3 I hear a rebuke^(C) that dishonors me,
    and my understanding inspires me to reply.

⁴ “Surely you know how it has been from of old,^(D)
    ever since mankind^[a] was placed on the earth,
⁵ that the mirth of the wicked^(E) is brief,
    the joy of the godless^(F) lasts but a moment.^(G)
6 Though the pride^(H) of the godless person reaches to the heavens^(I)
    and his head touches the clouds,^(J)
7 he will perish forever,^(K) like his own dung;
    those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’^(L)
8 Like a dream^(M) he flies away,^(N) no more to be found,
    banished^(O) like a vision of the night.^(P)