20 “Why is light given to him who is in misery,

and life to the bitter in soul,

21 who long for death, but it comes not,

and dig for it more than for hidden treasures,

22 who rejoice exceedingly

and are glad when they find the grave?

23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden,

whom God has hedged in?

20 Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery,

And life unto the bitter in soul;

21 Which long for death, but it cometh not;

And dig for it more than for hid treasures;

22 Which rejoice exceedingly,

And are glad, when they can find the grave?

23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hid,

And whom God hath hedged in?

20 “Oh, why give light to those in misery,

and life to those who are bitter?

21 They long for death, and it won’t come.

They search for death more eagerly than for hidden treasure.

22 They’re filled with joy when they finally die,

and rejoice when they find the grave.

23 Why is life given to those with no future,

those God has surrounded with difficulties?

20 “Why is light given to him who is in misery,

And life to the bitter of soul,

21 Who long for death, but it does not come,

And search for it more than hidden treasures;

22 Who rejoice exceedingly,

And are glad when they can find the grave?

23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden,

And whom God has hedged in?

20 “Why is light given to those in misery?

Why is life given to those who are so unhappy?

21 They want to die, but death does not come.

They search for death more than for hidden treasure.

22 They are very happy

when they get to the grave.

23 They cannot see where they are going.

God has hidden the road ahead.

20 Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery,

And life unto the bitter in soul;

21 Who long for death, but it cometh not,

And dig for it more than for hid treasures;

22 Who rejoice exceedingly,

And are glad, when they can find the grave?

23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hid,

And whom God hath hedged in?

20 Wherefore is light given to him that is in trouble, and life to those bitter of soul, 21 Who long for death, and it cometh not, and dig for it more than for hidden treasures; 22 Who rejoice even exultingly and are glad when they find the grave? — 23 To the man whose way is hidden, and whom †God hath hedged in?

20 “Why give light to one in misery 

and life to those who find it so bitter, 

21 to those who long for death but it never comes— 

though they dig for it more than for buried treasure? 

22 They are ecstatic, 

delighted to find the grave. 

23 Why give light to those whose paths have been hidden, 

to those whom God has fenced in? 

20 Why is light given to one burdened with grief,

and life to those whose existence is bitter,

21 who wait for death, but it does not come,

and search for it more than for hidden treasure,

22 who are filled with much joy

and are glad when they reach the grave?

23 Why is life given to a man whose path is hidden,

whom God has hedged in?

20 “Why is light given to one in misery,

and life to the bitter in soul,

21 who long for death, but it does not come,

and dig for it more than for hidden treasures;

22 who rejoice exceedingly,

and are glad when they find the grave?

23 Why is light given to one who cannot see the way,

whom God has fenced in?

20 “Why does he give light to one in misery

and life to those bitter of soul,

21 who wait for death, but it does not come,

and search for it more than for treasures,

22 who rejoice exceedingly,

and they are glad when they find the grave?

23 Why does he give light to a man whose way is hidden,

and God has fenced him in all around?

20 “Why is the light that leads to life given to those who suffer?

Why is it given to those whose spirits are bitter?

21 Why is life given to those who long for death that doesn’t come?

Why is it given to those who would rather search for death

than for hidden treasure?

22 Why is life given to those who are actually happy and glad

when they reach the grave?

23 Why is life given to a man like me?

God hasn’t told me what will happen to me.

He has surrounded me with nothing but trouble.

20 “Why is light given to him who suffers,

And life to the bitter of soul,

21 Who long for death, but there is none,

And dig for it more than for hidden treasures,

22 Who rejoice greatly,

And exult when they find the grave?

23 “Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden,

And whom God has hedged in?