| Chapter 17 |
1 | My spirit is broken, my days are ended, the last resting-place is ready for me.
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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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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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4 | You have kept their hearts from wisdom: for this cause you will not give them honour.
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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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6 | He has made me a word of shame to the peoples; I have become a mark for their sport.
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7 | My eyes have become dark because of my pain, and all my body is wasted to a shade.
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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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9 | Still the upright keeps on his way, and he who has clean hands gets new strength.
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10 | But come back, now, all of you, come; and I will not see a wise man among you.
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11 | My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the desires of my heart.
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12 | They are changing night into day; they say, The light is near the dark.
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13 | If I am waiting for the underworld as my house, if I have made my bed in the dark;
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14 | If I say to the earth, You are my father; and to the worm, My mother and my sister;
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15 | Where then is my hope? and who will see my desire?
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16 | Will they go down with me into the underworld? Will we go down together into the dust?
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