< Job 17 >
1 I perish, carried away by the wind, and I seek for burial, and obtain [it] not.
My spirit is broken, my days are ended, the last resting-place is ready for me.
2 Weary I entreat; and what have I done? and strangers have stolen my goods.
Truly, those who make sport of me are round about me, and my eyes become dark because of their bitter laughing.
3 Who is this? let him join hands with me.
Be pleased, now, to be responsible for me to yourself; for there is no other who will put his hand in mine.
4 For you have hid their heart from wisdom; therefore you shall not exalt them.
You have kept their hearts from wisdom: for this cause you will not give them honour.
5 He shall promise mischief to [his] companions: but [their] eyes have failed for [their] children.
As for him who is false to his friend for a reward, light will be cut off from the eyes of his children.
6 But you has made me a byword amount the nations, and I am become a scorn to them.
He has made me a word of shame to the peoples; I have become a mark for their sport.
7 For my eyes are dimmed through pain; I have been grievously beset by all.
My eyes have become dark because of my pain, and all my body is wasted to a shade.
8 Wonder has seized true men upon this; and let the just rise up against the transgressor.
The upright are surprised at this, and he who has done no wrong is troubled because of the evil-doers.
9 But let the faithful hold on his own way, and let him that is pure of hands take courage.
Still the upright keeps on his way, and he who has clean hands gets new strength.
10 Howbeit, do you all strengthen [yourselves] and come now, for I do not find truth in you.
But come back, now, all of you, come; and I will not see a 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 desires of my heart.
12 I have turned the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
They are changing night into day; they say, The light is near the dark.
13 For if I remain, Hades is my habitation: and my bed has been made in darkness. (Sheol )
If I am waiting for the underworld as my house, if I have made my bed in the dark; (Sheol )
14 I have called upon death to be my father, and corruption [to be] my mother and sister.
If I say to the earth, You are my father; and to the worm, My mother and my sister;
15 Where then is yet my hope? or [where] shall I see my good?
Where then is my hope? and who will see my desire?
16 Will they go down with me to Hades, or shall we go down together to the tomb? (Sheol )
Will they go down with me into the underworld? Will we go down together into the dust? (Sheol )