Job 7
1 Is there not an appointed time to man vpon earth? and are not his dayes as the dayes of an hyreling?
Is there not a limited time of service to a mortal upon the earth? Are not his days also like the days of a hired laborer?
2 As a seruant longeth for the shadowe, and as an hyreling looketh for the ende of his worke,
As a servant eagerly longeth for the shadow, and as a hired laborer hopeth for his reward:
3 So haue I had as an inheritance the moneths of vanitie, and painefull nights haue bene appointed vnto me.
So was I compelled to possess months of vanity, and nights of trouble were counted out unto me.
4 If I layed me downe, I sayde, When shall I arise? and measuring the euening I am euen full with tossing to and from vnto the dawning of the day.
When I He down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am wearied with tossings about till the dawn of day.
5 My flesh is clothed with wormes and filthinesse of the dust: my skinne is rent, and become horrible.
My flesh is covered with worms and clods of dust: my skin is burst open, and become loathsome.
6 My dayes are swifter then a weauers shittle, and they are spent without hope.
My days hasten away more swiftly than a weaver's shuttle, and they come to an end in the absence of hope.
7 Remember that my life is but a wind, and that mine eye shall not returne to see pleasure.
Oh remember that nothing but a breath is my life; that my eye will not again see happiness;
8 The eye that hath seene me, shall see me no more: thine eyes are vpon me, and I shall be no longer.
The eye of him that seeth me now will not behold me again: [thou fixest] thy eyes upon me, and I am no more.
9 As the cloude vanisheth and goeth away, so he that goeth downe to the graue, shall come vp no more. (Sheol h7585)
As the cloud vanisheth and passeth away: so will he that goeth down to the nether world not come up again. (Sheol h7585)
10 He shall returne no more to his house, neither shall his place knowe him any more.
He will return no more to his house, and his place will not recognize him any more.
11 Therefore I will not spare my mouth, but will speake in the trouble of my spirite, and muse in the bitternesse of my minde.
Therefore will I also not restrain my mouth: I will speak in the anguish of my spirit: I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
12 Am I a sea or a whalefish, that thou keepest me in warde?
Am I a sea, or a monster, that thou settest a watch over me?
13 When I say, My couch shall relieue me, and my bed shall bring comfort in my meditation,
For should I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall help me bear my complaint:
14 Then fearest thou me with dreames, and astonishest me with visions.
Then wouldst thou frighten me with dreams, and with visions wouldst thou terrify me;
15 Therefore my soule chuseth rather to be strangled and to die, then to be in my bones.
So that my soul would choose strangling, death rather than these limbs of mine.
16 I abhorre it, I shall not liue alway: spare me then, for my dayes are but vanitie.
I loathe it; I cannot live for ever: let me alone; for my days are but nought.
17 What is man, that thou doest magnifie him, and that thou settest thine heart vpon him?
What is the mortal, that thou shouldst make him great? and that thou shouldst direct thy heart toward him?
18 And doest visite him euery morning, and tryest him euery moment?
And that thou shouldst visit him every morning, probe him every moment?
19 Howe long will it be yer thou depart from me? thou wilt not let me alone whiles I may swallowe my spettle.
How long wilt thou not turn thy regard from me, nor let; me loose till I swallow down my spittle?
20 I haue sinned, what shall I do vnto thee? O thou preseruer of me, why hast thou set me as a marke against thee, so that I am a burden vnto my selfe?
If I have sinned, what [injury] can I cause unto thee, O thou Guardian of men? why hast thou set me as an object for thee to strike at, so that I am become a burden to myself?
21 And why doest thou not pardon my trespasse? and take away mine iniquitie? for nowe shall I sleepe in the dust, and if thou seekest me in the morning, I shall not be found.
And why wilt thou not forgive my transgression, and let my iniquity pass away? for soon must I lie down in the dust; and thou wilt seek for me, but I shall be no more.
