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