Job 17
1 I perish, carried away by the wind, and I seek for burial, and obtain [it] not.
My spirit is consumed, and my days are over; the grave is ready for me.
2 Weary I intreat; and what have I done? and strangers have stolen my goods.
Surely there are mockers with me; my eye must always see their provocation.
3 Who is this? let him join hands with me.
Give now a pledge, be a guarantee for me with yourself; who else is there who will help me?
4 For thou hast hid their heart from wisdom; therefore thou shalt not exalt them.
For you, God, have kept their hearts from understanding; therefore, you will not exalt them over me.
5 He shall promise mischief to [his] companions: but [their] eyes have failed for [their] children.
He who denounces his friends for a reward, the eyes of his children will fail.
6 But thou has made me a byword amount the nations, and I am become a scorn to them.
But he has made me a byword of the people; they spit in my face.
7 For my eyes are dimmed through pain; I have been grievously beset by all.
My eye is also dim because of sorrow; all my body parts are as thin as shadows.
8 Wonder has seized true men upon this; and let the just rise up against the transgressor.
Upright men will be stunned by this; the innocent man will stir himself up against godless men.
9 But let the faithful hold on his own way, and let him that is pure of hands take courage.
The righteous man will keep to his way; he who has clean hands will grow 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, come on now; I will not find a wise man among you.
11 My days have passed in groaning, and my heart-strings are broken.
My days are past; my plans are shattered, and so are the desires of my heart.
12 I have turned the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
These people, these mockers, change the night into day; light is near to darkness.
If the only home I hope for is Sheol; and if I have spread my couch in the darkness; (Sheol h7585)
14 I have called upon death to be my father, and corruption [to be] my mother and sister.
and if I have said to the pit, 'You are my father,' and to the worm, 'You are my mother or my sister,'
15 Where then is yet my hope? or [where] shall I see my good?
where then is my hope? As for my hope, who can see any?
