And already in ancient times, the early sages said, 'There is no truth on earth,' and likewise in the interpretation of our sages, there is no real substance in the world. Even so, now that the world is entrusted to the hands of fools, everything has turned upside down. Falsehood stands firm on the ground and in the heavens, like a parable: a commoner who says the truth has no place to dwell. I have suffered much bitterness because of it, to the point where my soul almost despaired in life because of the pursuers of falsehood, which is my death, while truth is my life.
Therefore, until old age and gray hair, I will not abandon it, and even in my dying moments, I will hold it firmly. I will not let go of my death, for I have not known how to surrender, and behold, I have known and understood that I cannot rely on my wisdom or my intelligence. I have remained alone, while the multitude has turned away from me. Faithful ones have turned away from the sons of men, and the land is corrupted under its inhabitants.
From the prophets and poets, hypocrisy has spread throughout the earth. Truth stumbled in the street, and its power cannot prevail. And in me, the words of Job are fulfilled: 'All my intimate friends abhor me, and those I love have turned against me. Even young children despise me; when I rise, they speak against me. My breath is offensive to my wife, and I am loathsome to the children of my own mother.'