Job 17
1 My spirit will be wasted, my days will be shortened, and only the grave will be left for me.
My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves [are ready] for me.
2 I have not sinned, yet my eye remains in bitterness.
[Are there] not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?
3 Free me, O Lord, and set me beside you, and let the hand of anyone you wish fight against me.
Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who [is] he [that] will strike hands with me?
4 You have set their heart far from discipline; therefore, they will not be praised.
For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt [them].
5 He promises prey to his companions, but the eyes of his sons will grow faint.
He that speaketh flattery to [his] friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.
6 He has posted me like a proverb to the people, and I am an example in their presence.
He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.
7 My eyesight has been clouded by indignation, and my limbs have been reduced, as if to nothing.
Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members [are] as a shadow.
8 The just will be astounded over this, and the innocent will be stirred up against the hypocrite.
Upright [men] shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.
9 And the just will cling to his way, and clean hands will increase strength.
The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
10 Therefore, be converted, all of you, and approach, for I do not find in you any wisdom.
But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find [one] wise [man] among you.
11 My days have passed away; my thoughts have been scattered, tormenting my heart.
My days are past, my purposes are broken off, [even] the thoughts of my heart.
12 They have turned night into day, and I hope for light again after the darkness.
They change the night into day: the light [is] short because of darkness.
13 If I should wait, the underworld is my house, and in darkness I have spread out my bed. (Sheol h7585)
If I wait, the grave [is] mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness. (Sheol h7585)
14 I have said to decay and to worms: “You are my father, my mother, and my sister.”
I have said to corruption, Thou [art] my father: to the worm, [Thou art] my mother, and my sister.
15 Therefore, where is my expectation now, and who is it that considers my patience?
And where [is] now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
