The Message Bible MSG
King James Version KJV
1 "My spirit is broken, my days used up, my grave dug and waiting.
1
My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.
2 See how these mockers close in on me? How long do I have to put up with their insolence?
2
Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?
3 "O God, pledge your support for me. Give it to me in writing, with your signature. You're the only one who can do it!
3
Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?
4 These people are so useless! You know firsthand how stupid they can be. You wouldn't let them have the last word, would you?
4
For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them.
5 Those who betray their own friends leave a legacy of abuse to their children.
5
He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.
6 "God, you've made me the talk of the town - people spit in my face;
6
He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.
7 I can hardly see from crying so much; I'm nothing but skin and bones.
7
Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.
8 Decent people can't believe what they're seeing; the good-hearted wake up and insist I've given up on God.
8
Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.
9 "But principled people hold tight, keep a firm grip on life, sure that their clean, pure hands will get stronger and stronger!
9
The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
10 "Maybe you'd all like to start over, to try it again, the bunch of you. So far I haven't come across one scrap of wisdom in anything you've said.
10
But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.
11 My life's about over. All my plans are smashed, all my hopes are snuffed out -
11
My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.
12 My hope that night would turn into day, my hope that dawn was about to break.
12
They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
13 If all I have to look forward to is a home in the graveyard, if my only hope for comfort is a well-built coffin,
13
If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.
14 If a family reunion means going six feet under, and the only family that shows up is worms,
14
I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister.
15 Do you call that hope? Who on earth could find any hope in that?
15
And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
16 No. If hope and I are to be buried together, I suppose you'll all come to the double funeral!"
16
They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
The King James Version is in the public domain.