1 Bvt now they that are yonger then I, mocke me: yea, they whose fathers I haue refused to set with the dogges of my flockes. 2 For whereto shoulde the strength of their handes haue serued mee, seeing age perished in them? 3 For pouertie and famine they were solitary, fleeing into the wildernes, which is darke, desolate and waste. 4 They cut vp nettels by the bushes, and the iuniper rootes was their meate. 5 They were chased forth from among men: they shouted at them, as at a theefe. 6 Therfore they dwelt in the clefts of riuers, in the holes of the earth and rockes. 7 They roared among the bushes, and vnder the thistles they gathered themselues. 8 They were the children of fooles and the children of villaines, which were more vile then the earth. 9 And now am I their song, and I am their talke. 10 They abhorre me, and flee farre from mee, and spare not to spit in my face. 11 Because that God hath loosed my corde and humbled mee, they haue loosed the bridle before me. 12 The youth rise vp at my right hand: they haue pusht my feete, and haue trode on me as on the paths of their destruction. 13 They haue destroyed my paths: they tooke pleasure at my calamitie, they had none helpe. 14 They came as a great breach of waters, and vnder this calamitie they come on heapes. 15 Feare is turned vpon mee: and they pursue my soule as the winde, and mine health passeth away as a cloude. 16 Therefore my soule is nowe powred out vpon me, and the dayes of affliction haue taken holde on me. 17 It pearceth my bones in the night, and my sinewes take no rest. 18 For the great vehemencie is my garment changed, which compasseth me about as the colar of my coate. 19 He hath cast me into the myre, and I am become like ashes and dust. 20 Whe I cry vnto thee, thou doest not heare me, neither regardest me, when I stand vp. 21 Thou turnest thy selfe cruelly against me, and art enemie vnto mee with the strength of thine hand. 22 Thou takest me vp and causest mee to ride vpon the winde, and makest my strength to faile. 23 Surely I knowe that thou wilt bring mee to death, and to the house appoynted for all the liuing. 24 Doubtles none can stretch his hand vnto the graue, though they cry in his destruction. 25 Did not I weepe with him that was in trouble? was not my soule in heauinesse for the poore? 26 Yet when I looked for good, euill came vnto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkenesse. 27 My bowels did boyle without rest: for the dayes of affliction are come vpon me. 28 I went mourning without sunne: I stood vp in the congregation and cryed. 29 I am a brother to the dragons, and a companion to the ostriches. 30 My skinne is blacke vpon me, and my bones are burnt with heate. 31 Therefore mine harpe is turned to mourning, and mine organs into the voyce of them that weepe.
1 But men younger than I am make fun of me now!
Their fathers have always been so worthless
that I wouldn't let them help my dogs guard sheep.
2 They were a bunch of worn-out men,
too weak to do any work for me.
3 They were so poor and hungry
that they would gnaw dry roots—
at night, in wild, desolate places.
4 They pulled up the plants of the desert and ate them,
even the tasteless roots of the broom tree!
5 Everyone drove them away with shouts,
as if they were shouting at thieves.
6 They had to live in caves,
in holes dug in the sides of cliffs.
7 Out in the wilds they howled like animals
and huddled together under the bushes.
8 A worthless bunch of nameless nobodies!
They were driven out of the land.
9 Now they come and laugh at me;
I am nothing but a joke to them.
10 They treat me with disgust;
they think they are too good for me,
and even come and spit in my face.
11 Because God has made me weak and helpless,
they turn against me with all their fury.
12 This mob attacks me head-on;
they send me running; they prepare their final assault.
13 They cut off my escape and try to destroy me;
and there is no one to stop them.
14 They pour through the holes in my defenses
and come crashing down on top of me;
15 I am overcome with terror;
my dignity is gone like a puff of wind,
and my prosperity like a cloud.
16 Now I am about to die;
there is no relief for my suffering.
17 At night my bones all ache;
the pain that gnaws me never stops.
18 God seizes me by my collar
and twists my clothes out of shape.
19 He throws me down in the mud;
I am no better than dirt.
20 I call to you, O God, but you never answer;
and when I pray, you pay no attention.
21 You are treating me cruelly;
you persecute me with all your power.
22 You let the wind blow me away;
you toss me about in a raging storm.
23 I know you are taking me off to my death,
to the fate in store for everyone.
24 Why do you attack a ruined man,
one who can do nothing but beg for pity?
25 Didn't I weep with people in trouble
and feel sorry for those in need?
26 I hoped for happiness and light,
but trouble and darkness came instead.
27 I am torn apart by worry and pain;
I have had day after day of suffering.
28 I go about in gloom, without any sunshine;
I stand up in public and plead for help.
29 My voice is as sad and lonely
as the cries of a jackal or an ostrich.
30 My skin has turned dark; I am burning with fever.
31 Where once I heard joyful music,
now I hear only mourning and weeping.