9And now I am mocked by their song, yea, I am their byword. 10They detest me, they keep their distance from me, but come to spit in my face. 11Because He has unstrung my bow, and afflicted me, they have also thrown off all restraint in my presence. 12Upon my right hand rise brash youth; they entangle my feet, and they set traps for my destruction. 13They clutter my path, they promote my calamity, they need no helper. 14They came upon me as a wide torrent of waters; in the desolation they rolled themselves upon me. 15I live with terror now; they pursue my soul like the wind, and my welfare passes away like a cloud.

16And now my soul fades within me; the days of affliction grip me. 17At night all my bones ache; and the pain in my sinews never eases. 18By a great force of my disease is my garment is twisted; it binds about me like the collar of my coat. 19He has thrown me into the mud, and I am reduced to dust and ashes. 20I cry unto You, God, but You do not answer; I stand up, and You pay me no attention. 21 You have become cruel to me; with Your strong hand You persecute me. 22 You lift me up to the wind; You cause me to be blown about, and devastated. 23For I know that You will bring about my death, and to the grave that all the living are destined for.

24However, he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction. 25Have I not wept for those in trouble? Was my soul grieved not for the poor? 26When I hoped for good, evil came unto me; and when I looked for light, there came darkness. 27My heart was in turmoil, without rest; days of affliction confronted me. 28I went mourning without comfort; I stood up and cried for help in the congregation. 29I have become a brother of jackals, and a companion of owls. 30My skin has turned black, and my body burns with fever. 31My harp plays mournful sounds, and my flute the sound of wailing.