< Job 17 >
1 My spirit is consumed, my days are extinct, 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, and mine eye abideth in their provocation.
Truly, those who make sport of me are round about me, and my eyes become dark because of their bitter laughing.
3 Give now a pledge, be surety for me with thyself; who is there that 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 thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt [them].
You have kept their hearts from wisdom: for this cause you will not give them honour.
5 He that denounceth 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 He hath made me also a byword of the people; and I am become an open abhorring.
He has made me a word of shame to the peoples; I have become a mark for their sport.
7 Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and 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 astonied at this, and 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, and he that hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger.
Still the upright keeps on his way, and he who has clean hands gets new strength.
10 But return ye, all of you, and come now: and 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 purposes are broken off, even the droughts of my heart.
My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the desires of my heart.
12 They change the night into a day: the fight, [say they], is near unto the darkness.
They are changing night into day; they say, The light is near the dark.
13 If I look for Sheol as mine house; if I have spread my couch in the darkness; (Sheol )
If I am waiting for the underworld as my house, if I have made my bed in the dark; (Sheol )
14 If I have said to corruption, Thou art my father; to the worm, [Thou art] 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? and as for my hope, who shall see it?
Where then is my hope? and who will see my desire?
16 It shall go down to the bars of Sheol, when once there is rest in the dust. (Sheol )
Will they go down with me into the underworld? Will we go down together into the dust? (Sheol )