Job 17
1 “My (life/time to live) is almost ended; I have no strength left; my grave is waiting for me.
I perish, carried away by the wind, and I seek for burial, and obtain [it] not.
2 Those who are around me are making fun of me; I [SYN] watch them while they (taunt/make fun of) me.”
Weary I entreat; and what have I done? and strangers have stolen my goods.
3 “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.
Who is this? let him join hands with me.
4 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].
For you have hid their heart from wisdom; therefore you shall not exalt them.
5 [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].
He shall promise mischief to [his] companions: but [their] eyes have failed for [their] children.
6 “But now people use that saying of our ancestors when they talk about me; they spit in my face [to insult me].
But you has made me a byword amount the nations, and I am become a scorn to them.
7 (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.
For my eyes are dimmed through pain; I have been grievously beset by all.
8 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.
Wonder has seized true men upon this; and let the just rise up against the transgressor.
9 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.
But let the faithful hold on his own way, and let him that is pure of hands take courage.
10 “But even if all of those people came [and stood in front of me], I would not find anyone among them who is wise.
Howbeit, do you all strengthen [yourselves] and come now, for I do not find truth in you.
11 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.
My days have passed in groaning, and my heart-strings are broken.
12 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.
I have turned the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
13 If my home will be the place where dead people are, where will I sleep in the darkness? (Sheol h7585)
For if I remain, Hades is my habitation: and my bed has been made in darkness. (Sheol h7585)
14 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].’
I have called upon death to be my father, and corruption [to be] my mother and sister.
15 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]
Where then is yet my hope? or [where] shall I see my good?
16 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)
Will they go down with me to Hades, or shall we go down together to the tomb? (Sheol h7585)
