17. My bones pierce me in the night, and my sinews take no rest.
18. By the great force of my disease my garment is changed; it binds me about as the collar of my coat.
19. He has cast me into the mire, and I have become like dust and ashes.
20. I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me; I present myself, and thou regardest me not.
21. Thou art become cruel to me; with the strength of thy hand thou dost hate me.
22. Thou didst lift me up and cause me to ride upon the wind, and didst dissolve my being.
23. For I know that thou dost conduct me unto death and to the house appointed for all living.
24. But he will not stretch out his hand against the grave; do those who are buried cry out when he destroys them?
25. Did I not weep for the one that was in trouble? Was not my soul grieved for the needy?
26. When I expected good, then evil came unto me; and when I waited for light, there came darkness.
27. My bowels boil and do not rest; the days of affliction came upon me.
28. I went about darkened, but not by the sun; I stood up and cried out in the congregation.
29. I have become a brother to dragons and a companion to owls.
30. My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.
31. My harp is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of those that weep.