1
But now they that are youngerathan I have me in derision , whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.2
Yea, whereto might the strength of their hands profit me, in whom old age was perished ?
3
For want and famine they were solitary;bfleeing into the wilderness in former timedesolate and waste.4
Who cut upmallows by the bushes, and juniperroots for their meat.5
They were driven forth from among men, (they cried after them as after a thief;)
6
To dwell in the clifts of the valleys, in cavesc of the earth, and in the rocks.7
Among the bushes they brayed ; under the nettles they were gathered together .
8
They were children of fools, yea, children of base men: they were viler than the earth.9
And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.10
They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.11
Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridlebefore me.
12
Upon my right hand rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction.13
They mar my path, they set forward my calamity , they have no helper .
14
They came upon me as a widebreaking in of waters: in the desolation they rolled themselves upon me.
15Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my sould as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud.16
And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.
17
My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest .
18
By the greatforce of my disease is my garmentchanged : it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat.19
He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become likedust and ashes.20
I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up , and thou regardest me not.
21
Thou art becomeecruel to me: with thy stronghand thou opposest thyself against me.
22
Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride upon it, and dissolvest my substance .f23
For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the houseappointed for all living.24
Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave,g though they cry in his destruction.25
Did not I weep for him that was in trouble ? was not my soulgrieved for the poor?26
When I looked for good, then evilcame unto me: and when I waited for light, there camedarkness.27
My bowelsboiled , and rested not: the days of afflictionprevented me.
28
I wentmourning without the sun: I stood up , and I cried in the congregation.29
I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls .h30
My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.31
My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep .
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