< Job 17 >

1 My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves [are ready] for me.
My spirit is broken, my days are ended, the last resting-place is ready for me.
2 [Are there] not mockers with me? and doth not my eye continue 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 Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who [is] he [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 speaketh flattery to [his] friends, 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 by-word of the people; and in former time I was as a tabret.
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, and all my members [are] as a shade.
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, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.
The upright are surprised at this, and he who has done no wrong is troubled because of the evil-doers.
9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be 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, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find [one] 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 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: the light [is] short because of darkness.
They are changing night into day; they say, The light is near the dark.
13 If I wait, the grave [is] my house: I have made my bed in the darkness. (Sheol h7585)
If I am waiting for the underworld as my house, if I have made my bed in the dark; (Sheol h7585)
14 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 And where [is] now my hope? as for my hope, who will see it?
Where then is my hope? and who will see my desire?
16 They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when [our] rest together [is] in the dust. (Sheol h7585)
Will they go down with me into the underworld? Will we go down together into the dust? (Sheol h7585)

< Job 17 >