New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 My spirit is broken, my days are extinct, the grave is ready for me.
1
My spirit is broken, my days are ended, the last resting-place is ready for me.
2 Surely there are mockers around me, and my eye dwells on their provocation.
2
Truly, those who make sport of me are round about me, and my eyes become dark because of their bitter laughing.
3 "Lay down a pledge for me with yourself; who is there that will give surety for me?
3
Be pleased, now, to be responsible for me to yourself; for there is no other who will put his hand in mine.
4 Since you have closed their minds to understanding, therefore you will not let them triumph.
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You have kept their hearts from wisdom: for this cause you will not give them honour.
5 Those who denounce friends for reward— the eyes of their children will fail.
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As for him who is false to his friend for a reward, light will be cut off from the eyes of his children.
6 "He has made me a byword of the peoples, and I am one before whom people spit.
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He has made me a word of shame to the peoples; I have become a mark for their sport.
7 My eye has grown dim from grief, and all my members are like a shadow.
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My eyes have become dark because of my pain, and all my body is wasted to a shade.
8 The upright are appalled at this, and the innocent stir themselves up against the godless.
8
The upright are surprised at this, and he who has done no wrong is troubled because of the evil-doers.
9 Yet the righteous hold to their way, and they that have clean hands grow stronger and stronger.
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Still the upright keeps on his way, and he who has clean hands gets new strength.
10 But you, come back now, all of you, and I shall not find a sensible person among you.
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But come back, now, all of you, come; and I will not see a wise man among you.
11 My days are past, my plans are broken off, the desires of my heart.
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My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the desires of my heart.
12 They make night into day; "The light,' they say, "is near to the darkness.'
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They are changing night into day; they say, The light is near the dark.
13 If I look for Sheol as my house, if I spread my couch in darkness,
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If I am waiting for the underworld as my house, if I have made my bed in the dark;
14 if I say to the Pit, "You are my father,' and to the worm, "My mother,' or "My sister,'
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If I say to the earth, You are my father; and to the worm, My mother and my sister;
15 where then is my hope? Who will see my hope?
15
Where then is my hope? and who will see my desire?
16 Will it go down to the bars of Sheol? Shall we descend together into the dust?"
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Will they go down with me into the underworld? Will we go down together into the dust?
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.