8Upright men are appalled at this;

the innocent are aroused against the ungodly.

9Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways,

and those with clean hands will grow stronger.

10“But come on, all of you, try again!

I will not find a wise man among you.

11My days have passed, my plans are shattered,

and so are the desires of my heart.

12These men turn night into day;

in the face of darkness they say, ‘Light is near.’

13If the only home I hope for is the grave,^a

if I spread out my bed in darkness,

14if I say to corruption, ‘You are my father,’

and to the worm, ‘My mother’ or ‘My sister,’

15where then is my hope?

Who can see any hope for me?

16Will it go down to the gates of death^b?

Will we descend together into the dust?”