17. The night pierceth through my bones and detacheth them from me, and my gnawing pains take no rest:
18. By their great force they have become my raiment; they bind me about as the collar of my coat.
19. He hath cast me into the mire, and I have become like dust and ashes.
20. I cry unto thee, and thou answerest me not; I stand up, and thou lookest at me.
21. Thou art changed to a cruel one to me; with the strength of thy hand thou pursuest me.
22. Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to be borne away, and dissolvest my substance.
23. For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and into the house of assemblage for all living.
24. Indeed, no prayer availeth when he stretcheth out his hand: though they cry when he destroyeth.
25. Did not I weep for him whose days were hard? was not my soul grieved for the needy?
26. For I expected good, and there came evil; and I waited for light, but there came darkness.
27. My bowels well up, and rest not; days of affliction have confronted me.