17. My wife has shuddered at my breath, and I have begged the sons of my loins.
18. Even the foolish have looked down on me, and, when I withdrew from them, they spoke ill of me.
19. Those who were sometime my counselors, treat me like an abomination; and he whom I valued the most has turned against me.
20. Since my flesh has been consumed, my bone adheres to my skin, and only my lips have been left around my teeth.
21. Have mercy on me, have compassion on me, at least you my friends, because the hand of the Lord has touched me.
22. Why do you pursue me just as God does, and satiate yourselves with my flesh?
23. Who will grant to me that my words may be written down? Who will grant to me that they may be inscribed in a book,
24. with an iron pen and a plate of lead, or else be carved in stone?
25. For I know that my Redeemer lives, and on the last day I will rise out of the earth.