¹¹ Why was I not stillborn;
why didn’t I die as I came from the womb?^(A)
12 Why did the knees receive me,
and why were there breasts for me to nurse?^(B)
13 Now I would certainly be lying down in peace;
I would be asleep.^(C)
Then I would be at rest^(D)
14 with the kings and counselors^(E) of the earth,
who rebuilt ruined cities for themselves,
¹⁵ or with princes who had gold,
who filled their houses^(F) with silver.
¹⁶ Or why was I not hidden like a miscarried child,^(G)
like infants who never see daylight?
¹⁷ There the wicked^(H) cease to make trouble,
and there the weary find rest.
¹⁸ The captives are completely at ease;^(I)
they do not hear the voice of their oppressor.^(J)
19 Both small and great are there,
and the slave is set free from his master.^(K)

²⁰ Why is light given to one burdened with grief,
and life to those whose existence is bitter,^(L)
21 who wait for death,^(M) but it does not come,
and search for it more than for hidden treasure,
²² who are filled with much joy
and are glad when they reach the grave?^(N)
23 Why is life given to a man whose path is hidden,^(O)
whom God has hedged in?
²⁴ I sigh when food^(P) is put before me,^[a]
and my groans pour out like water.^(Q)
25 For the thing I feared has overtaken me,
and what I dreaded has happened to me.^(R)
26 I cannot relax or be still;
I have no rest,^(S) for trouble comes.