Job 17
1 "My spirit is consumed. My days are extinct, And the grave is ready for me.
My spirit is broken, my days are ended, the last resting-place is ready for me.
2 Surely there are mockers with me. My eye dwells on their provocation.
Truly, those who make sport of me are round about me, and my eyes become dark because of their bitter laughing.
3 "Now give a pledge, be collateral for me with yourself. Who is there who will strike 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 hidden their heart from understanding, Therefore you shall not exalt them.
You have kept their hearts from wisdom: for this cause you will not give them honour.
5 He who denounces his friends for a prey, Even the eyes of his children shall fail.
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 he has made me a byword of the people. They spit in my face.
He has made me a word of shame to the peoples; I have become a mark for their sport.
7 My eye also is dim by reason of sorrow. All my members are as a shadow.
My eyes have become dark because of my pain, and all my body is wasted to a shade.
8 Upright men shall be astonished at this. The innocent shall stir up himself against the godless.
The upright are surprised at this, and he who has done no wrong is troubled because of the evil-doers.
9 Yet shall the righteous hold on his way. He who has clean hands shall grow stronger and stronger.
Still the upright keeps on his way, and he who has clean hands gets new strength.
10 But as for you all, come on now again; I shall not find a wise man among you.
But come back, now, all of you, come; and I will not see a wise man among you.
11 My days are past, my plans are broken off, as are the thoughts of my heart.
My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the desires of my heart.
12 They change the night into day, saying 'The light is near' in the presence of darkness.
They are changing night into day; they say, The light is near the dark.
If I am waiting for the underworld as my house, if I have made my bed in the dark; (Sheol h7585)
14 If I have said to corruption, 'You are my father;' to the worm, 'My mother,' and 'my sister;'
If I say to the earth, You are my father; and to the worm, My mother and my sister;
15 where then is my hope? As for my hope, who shall see it?
Where then is my hope? and who will see my desire?
