Column 17

1 […] gloom … […] 2 [… it has] appeared for quarrels in the night and in … […] 3 […] … without mercy. In anger he stirs up zeal, and for destruction … […] 4 The breakers of death and Sheol are over my bed. My couch lifts up a lament, and [my bed] the sound of groaning. 5 My eyes are like a moth in a furnace, and my tears like streams of water. My eyes fail for rest, and my [strength] stands 6 far from me, and my life is set aside. But I, from ruin to desolation, and from pain to affliction, and from pangs 7 to breakers, my soul meditates on your wonders, and you have not rejected me in your kindnesses. From age 8 to age my soul delights in the abundance of your mercies. And I can answer a word to the one who would swallow me, 9 and a reproof to those who cast me down. And I will declare his verdict wicked, and your judgment I will declare just. For I know 10 your truth, and I choose my judgment, and with my afflictions I am content, for I wait for your kindnesses. And you have put 11 a plea in the mouth of your servant, and you have not rebuked my life, and my peace you have not rejected, and you have not forsaken 12 my hope. And in the face of affliction you have made my spirit stand. For you founded my spirit, and you know my design. 13 And in my distresses you have comforted me, and in forgiveness I delight, and I am comforted concerning the first transgression. 14 And I know that there is hope in your kindnesses and expectation in the greatness of your strength. For no one is righteous 15 in your judgment, and no one is innocent in your dispute. One man may be more righteous than another, and one person may have more insight than his fellow, 16 and flesh may be honored more than a thing shaped … and one spirit may be mightier than another. But there is none like your might 17 in strength, and your glory has no […, and] your wisdom has no measure, and [your] truth […] … 18 and for all who are left without it … But I, in you I have [set my hand, and by your kindness] 19 I stand, and you have not … […] among the men who dispute with me … […] 20 and as they plot against me you … […] … and if for shame of face, all […] … 21 to me. And you … […] my adversary prevails against me, as a stumbling block to … [… to] all 22 the men who make war [on me and to those who dispute with me, shame] of face and disgrace to those who grumble against me. 23 For you, my God, at the appointed time […] you plead my cause. For in the mystery of your wisdom you have reproved me,⁠a 24 and you hide the truth for the time […] its appointed time. And your reproof has become joy and gladness for me, 25 and my afflictions an [eternal] healing [and] everlasting [peace], and the contempt of my adversaries a crown of glory for me, and my stumbling eternal 26 might. For by your insight [you have made me know,] and in your glory my light has shone. For light out of darkness⁠b 27 you have made shine for … [… for the wound of] my blow, and for my stumbling wonderful might, and an eternal 28 broad place in the distress of my soul. For [you are my refuge,] my retreat, my stronghold, the rock of my strength, and my fortress. In you 29 I take refuge from every pain [of my soul. You have saved] me, for an eternal deliverance. For you have known me since my father, 30 and from the womb [you set me apart, and from the belly of] my mother you have dealt kindly with me, and from the breasts of her who conceived me your mercies 31 have been mine, and in the lap of my nurse the abundance of your [kindnesses.] And from my youth you have appeared to me in the insight of your judgment, 32 and with sure truth you have upheld me, and with your holy spirit you delight me, and to this day you guide me. 33 And your righteous reproof is with my perversity, and the guard of your peace is for the deliverance of my soul. And with my steps 34 are abundant forgiveness and a multitude of mercies when you judge me. And until old age you will sustain me. For 35 my father did not know me, and my mother left me to you. For you are a father to all the sons of your truth, and you rejoice 36 over them like a mother who has compassion on her infant, and like a foster father you sustain all your works in your lap. 38 Blessed are you, [O Lord …] … […] … […] you have shown yourself mighty beyond number 39 [… and to praise] your name for doing very wonderfully 40 [… without] ceasing … […] 41 [… and according to] his insight he praises [your name …]