² And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.

¹ My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.

² Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?

³ Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?

⁴ For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them.

⁵ He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.

⁶ He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.

⁷ Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.

⁸ Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.

⁹ The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

¹⁰ But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.

¹¹ My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.

¹² They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.

¹³ If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.

¹⁴ I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou are my mother, and my sister.

¹⁵ And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?

¹⁶ They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.

⁶ Prophesy therefore concerning the land of Israel, and say unto the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I have spoken in my jealousy and in my fury, because ye have borne the shame of the heathen: