20 “Why^a is light given to him who is in misery,
And life to the ^bbitter of soul, ‡

21 Who ^along for death, but it does not come,
And search for it more than ^bhidden treasures; ‡

22 Who rejoice exceedingly,
And are glad when they can find the ^agrave? ‡

23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden,
^aAnd whom God has hedged in? ‡

24 For my sighing comes before¹ I eat,
And my groanings pour out like water. ‡

25 For the thing I greatly ^afeared has come upon me,
And what I dreaded has happened to me. ‡

26 I am not at ease, nor am I quiet;
I have no rest, for trouble comes.”