But now they that are youngerthanI have me in derision, whosefathersI would have disdainedto have setwiththe dogsof my flock. Yea, whereto might the strengthof their hands profit me, in whomold agewas perished? For wantand famine they were solitary; fleeinginto the wildernessin former timedesolateand waste. Who cut upmallowsbythe bushes, and juniperroots for their meat. They were driven forthfromamong men , (they criedafterthem as after a thief;) To dwellin the cleftsof the valleys, in cavesof the earth, and in the rocks. Amongthe bushesthey brayed; underthe nettlesthey were gathered together. They were childrenof fools, yea, childrenof base men: they were vilerthanthe earth. And nowamI their song, yea, I amtheir byword. They abhorme, they flee farfromme, and sparenotto spitin my face. Becausehe hath loosedmy cord, and afflictedme, they have also let loosethe bridlebeforeme. Upon my right hand risethe youth; they push awaymy feet, and they raise upagainstme the waysof their destruction. They marmy path, they set forwardmy calamity, they have nohelper. They came upon me as a widebreaking in of waters : inthe desolationthey rolled themselves upon me . Terrorsare turneduponme: they pursuemy soulas the wind: and my welfarepasseth awayas a cloud. And nowmy soulis poured outuponme; the daysof afflictionhave taken hold uponme. My bonesare piercedinme in the night season: and my sinewstake no rest. By the greatforce of my disease is my garmentchanged: it bindeth me aboutas the collarof my coat. He hath castme into the mire, and I am becomelike dustand ashes. I cryuntothee, and thou dost nothearme: I stand up, and thou regardestme not . Thou art becomecruelto me: with thy stronghandthou opposest thyself againstme. Thou liftest me uptothe wind; thou causest me to ride upon it , and dissolvestmy substance. ForI know that thou wilt bringme to death, and to the houseappointedfor allliving. Howbeithe will notstretch out his handto the grave, thoughthey cryin his destruction. Did notI weepfor him that was in trouble? was not my soulgrievedfor the poor? WhenI looked forgood, then evilcame unto me : and when I waitedfor light, there camedarkness. My bowelsboiled, and restednot: the daysof afflictionpreventedme. I wentmourningwithoutthe sun: I stood up, and I criedin the congregation. I ama brotherto dragons, and a companionto owls. My skinis blackuponme, and my bonesare burnedwithheat. My harpalso is turned to mourning, and my organinto the voiceof them that weep.