Job 17
1 I perish, carried away by the wind, and I seek for burial, and obtain [it] not.
My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.
2 Weary I intreat; and what have I done? and strangers have stolen my goods.
Are there not mockers with me? and does not mine eye continue in their provocation?
3 Who is this? let him join hands with me.
Lay down now, put me in a guarantor with you; who is he that will shake hands with me?
4 For thou hast hid their heart from wisdom; therefore thou shalt not exalt them.
For you have hid their heart from understanding: therefore shall you not exalt them.
5 He shall promise mischief to [his] companions: but [their] eyes have failed for [their] children.
He that speaks flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.
6 But thou has made me a byword amount the nations, and I am become a scorn to them.
He has made me also a byword of the people; and in old times I was as a timbrel.
7 For my eyes are dimmed through pain; I have been grievously beset by all.
Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.
8 Wonder has seized true men upon this; and let the just rise up against the transgressor.
Upright men shall be astonished at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.
9 But let the faithful hold on his own way, and let him that is pure of hands take courage.
The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that has clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
10 Howbeit, do ye all strengthen [yourselves] and come now, for I do not find truth in you.
But as for you all, do all of you return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.
11 My days have passed in groaning, and my heart-strings are broken.
My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.
12 I have turned the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness. (Sheol h7585)
14 I have called upon death to be my father, and corruption [to be] my mother and sister.
I have said to corruption, You are my father: to the worm, You are my mother, and my sister.
15 Where then is yet my hope? or [where] shall I see my good?
And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
