²⁰ “Why is light given to those in misery,
    and life to the bitter of soul,^(A)

¹⁸ Why did I ever come out of the womb^(A)
    to see trouble^(B) and sorrow
    and to end my days in shame?^(C)

¹⁵ so that I prefer strangling and death,^(A)
    rather than this body of mine.^(B)
16 I despise my life;^(C) I would not live forever.^(D)
    Let me alone;^(E) my days have no meaning.^(F)

⁶ Let beer be for those who are perishing,
    wine^(A) for those who are in anguish!

³⁰ to turn them back^(A) from the pit,^(B)
    that the light of life^(C) may shine on them.^(D)

⁹ that God would be willing to crush^(A) me,
    to let loose his hand and cut off my life!^(B)

¹⁶ Or why was I not hidden away in the ground like a stillborn child,^(A)
    like an infant who never saw the light of day?^(B)