12. Why did my mother’s knees receive me?Why did my mother’s breasts feed me?
13. If they had not been there, I would be lying dead in peace.I would be asleep and at rest.
14. I would be asleep with kings and wise men of the earth.They built places for themselves that are now ruined.
15. I would be asleep with rulers who had gold.They filled their houses with silver!
16. Or why was I not buried like a child born dead?I wish I were like a baby who never saw the light of day.
17. In the grave the wicked stop causing trouble.And people who are tired are at rest.
18. In the grave there is rest for the captives.They no longer hear the shout of the slave driver.