Job 17
1 My spirit is broken, my days are ended, the last resting-place is ready for me.
"My spirit is consumed. My days are extinct, And the grave is ready for me.
2 Truly, those who make sport of me are round about me, and my eyes become dark because of their bitter laughing.
Surely there are mockers with me. My eye dwells on their provocation.
3 Be pleased, now, to be responsible for me to yourself; for there is no other who will put his hand in mine.
"Now give a pledge, be collateral for me with yourself. Who is there who will strike hands with me?
4 You have kept their hearts from wisdom: for this cause you will not give them honour.
For you have hidden their heart from understanding, Therefore you shall not exalt them.
5 As for him who is false to his friend for a reward, light will be cut off from the eyes of his children.
He who denounces his friends for a prey, Even the eyes of his children shall fail.
6 He has made me a word of shame to the peoples; I have become a mark for their sport.
"But he has made me a byword of the people. They spit in my face.
7 My eyes have become dark because of my pain, and all my body is wasted to a shade.
My eye also is dim by reason of sorrow. All my members are as a shadow.
8 The upright are surprised at this, and he who has done no wrong is troubled because of the evil-doers.
Upright men shall be astonished at this. The innocent shall stir up himself against the godless.
9 Still the upright keeps on his way, and he who has clean hands gets new strength.
Yet shall the righteous hold on his way. He who has clean hands shall grow stronger and stronger.
10 But come back, now, all of you, come; and I will not see a wise man among you.
But as for you all, come on now again; I shall not find a wise man among you.
11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the desires of my heart.
My days are past, my plans are broken off, as are the thoughts of my heart.
12 They are changing night into day; they say, The light is near the dark.
They change the night into day, saying 'The light is near' in the presence of darkness.
If I look for Sheol as my house, if I have spread my couch in the darkness, (Sheol h7585)
14 If I say to the earth, You are my father; and to the worm, My mother and my sister;
If I have said to corruption, 'You are my father;' to the worm, 'My mother,' and 'my sister;'
15 Where then is my hope? and who will see my desire?
where then is my hope? As for my hope, who shall see it?
