The Bible in Basic English BBE
New International Version NIV
1 My spirit is broken, my days are ended, the last resting-place is ready for me.
1
My spirit is broken, my days are cut short, the grave awaits me.
2 Truly, those who make sport of me are round about me, and my eyes become dark because of their bitter laughing.
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Surely mockers surround me; my eyes must dwell on their hostility.
3 Be pleased, now, to be responsible for me to yourself; for there is no other who will put his hand in mine.
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“Give me, O God, the pledge you demand. Who else will put up security for me?
4 You have kept their hearts from wisdom: for this cause you will not give them honour.
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You have closed their minds to understanding; therefore you will not let them triumph.
5 As for him who is false to his friend for a reward, light will be cut off from the eyes of his children.
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If anyone denounces their friends for reward, the eyes of their children will fail.
6 He has made me a word of shame to the peoples; I have become a mark for their sport.
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“God has made me a byword to everyone, a man in whose face people spit.
7 My eyes have become dark because of my pain, and all my body is wasted to a shade.
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My eyes have grown dim with grief; my whole frame is but a shadow.
8 The upright are surprised at this, and he who has done no wrong is troubled because of the evil-doers.
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The upright are appalled at this; the innocent are aroused against the ungodly.
9 Still the upright keeps on his way, and he who has clean hands gets new strength.
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Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger.
10 But come back, now, all of you, come; and I will not see a wise man among you.
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“But come on, all of you, try again! I will not find a wise man among you.
11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the desires of my heart.
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My days have passed, my plans are shattered. Yet the desires of my heart
12 They are changing night into day; they say, The light is near the dark.
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turn night into day; in the face of the darkness light is near.
13 If I am waiting for the underworld as my house, if I have made my bed in the dark;
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If the only home I hope for is the grave, if I spread out my bed in the realm of darkness,
14 If I say to the earth, You are my father; and to the worm, My mother and my sister;
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if I say to corruption, ‘You are my father,’ and to the worm, ‘My mother’ or ‘My sister,’
15 Where then is my hope? and who will see my desire?
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where then is my hope— who can see any hope for me?
16 Will they go down with me into the underworld? Will we go down together into the dust?
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Will it go down to the gates of death? Will we descend together into the dust?”
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.