Job 17

1 My spirit will be wasted, my days will be shortened, and only the grave will be left for me.

“My (life/time to live) is almost ended; I have no strength left; my grave is waiting for me.

2 I have not sinned, yet my eye remains in bitterness.

Those who are around me are making fun of me; I [SYN] watch them while they (taunt/make fun of) me.”

3 Free me, O Lord, and set me beside you, and let the hand of anyone you wish fight against me.

“God, [it is as though I am in prison; ] please pay the money in order that I may be released, because there is certainly no one else who will help me.

4 You have set their heart far from discipline; therefore, they will not be praised.

You have prevented my friends from understanding [what is true about me]; do not allow them to triumph over me, [saying that I have done things that are wrong].

5 He promises prey to his companions, but the eyes of his sons will grow faint.

[Our ancestors often said, ‘It often happens that] when someone betrays his friends in order to get some of their property, it is that person’s children who will be punished for it;’ [so I desire/hope that will be true of these friends of mine who are lying about me].

6 He has posted me like a proverb to the people, and I am an example in their presence.

“But now people use that saying of our ancestors when they talk about me; they spit in my face [to insult me].

7 My eyesight has been clouded by indignation, and my limbs have been reduced, as if to nothing.

(My sight has become dim/I cannot see well) because I am extremely sad, and my arms and legs are [very thin, with the result that they almost do not cast] [MET] a shadow.

8 The just will be astounded over this, and the innocent will be stirred up against the hypocrite.

Those who [say that they] are good/righteous are shocked [when they see what has happened to me], and people who [say that they] (are innocent/have not done anything that is wrong) say that I am wicked/godless and should be punished.

9 And the just will cling to his way, and clean hands will increase strength.

Those who [claim that they] are righteous will continue to do what [they think] is right, and those [who say] they have not sinned will continue to become stronger.

10 Therefore, be converted, all of you, and approach, for I do not find in you any wisdom.

“But even if all of those people came [and stood in front of me], I would not find anyone among them who is wise.

11 My days have passed away; my thoughts have been scattered, tormenting my heart.

My (life/time to live) is almost ended; I have not been able to do the things that I confidently expected to do; [I have not been able to accomplish] anything that I [SYN] desired.

12 They have turned night into day, and I hope for light again after the darkness.

My friends do not know when it is night and when it is day; when it is night, they claim that it is daylight; when it is becoming dark, they claim it is becoming light.

13 If I should wait, the underworld is my house, and in darkness I have spread out my bed. (Sheol h7585)

If my home will be the place where dead people are, where will I sleep in the darkness? (Sheol h7585)

14 I have said to decay and to worms: “You are my father, my mother, and my sister.”

I may say to the grave, ‘You will be [like] a father to me,’ and say to the maggots [that will eat my body], ‘You will be [like] a mother or younger sisters to me [because you will be where I will always be].’

15 Therefore, where is my expectation now, and who is it that considers my patience?

But if I say those things, (will there be anything good that I can confidently expect to happen to me?/there will be nothing good that I can confidently expect to happen to me.) [RHQ] (Is there anyone who knows anything good that I can expect when I am in the grave?/No one knows anything good that I can expect when I am in the grave.) [RHQ]

16 Everything of mine will descend into the deepest underworld; do you think that, in that place at least, there will be rest for me? (Sheol h7585)

After I descend to the place where the dead are, (will I be able to confidently expect anything good there?/I certainly will not be able to confidently expect anything good there.) [RHQ] [It will be as though] [RHQ] I and the things I hope for will descend with me into the dust [where the dead are].” (Sheol h7585)