But [the] righteous holds on to his way, and {he who has clean hands} increases in strength.

If I hope [for] Sheol [as] my house, [if] I spread my couch in the darkness,

"My spirit is pulled down; my days are extinguished; [the] graveyard [is] for me.

Will they go down [to] the bars of Sheol? Or shall we descend together into the dust?"

{Surely} mockery [is] with me, and my eye {rests} on their provocation.

"My days are past; my plans are broken down-- [even] the desires of my heart.

[if] I call to the pit, 'You [are] my father,' to the maggot, '[You are] my mother or my sister,'

Please lay down a pledge for me with yourself; who [is] he [who] will give security for my hand?

"And he has made me a proverb for [the] peoples, {and I am one before whom people spit}.

Indeed, you have closed their mind from understanding; therefore, you will not let [them] triumph.

He denounces friends for reward, so his children's eyes will fail.

But {all of you must return}--{please come}! But I shall not find a wise [person] among you.

They make night into day, [saying], 'Light [is] {near to darkness}.'

And my eye has grown dim from grief, and the limbs of my body [are] all like a shadow.

[The] upright are appalled at this, and [the] innocent excites himself over [the] godless.

where then [is] my hope? And {who will see my hope}?