Job 17
1 My spirit hath been destroyed, My days extinguished — graves [are] for me.
My spirit is broken, my days are ended, the last resting-place is ready for me.
2 If not — mockeries [are] with me. And in their provocations mine eye lodgeth.
Truly, those who make sport of me are round about me, and my eyes become dark because of their bitter laughing.
3 Place, I pray Thee, my pledge with Thee; Who is he that striketh hand 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 their heart Thou hast hidden From understanding, Therefore Thou dost not exalt them.
You have kept their hearts from wisdom: for this cause you will not give them honour.
5 For a portion he sheweth friendship, And the eyes of his sons are consumed.
As for him who is false to his friend for a reward, light will be cut off from the eyes of his children.
6 And he set me up for a proverb of the peoples, And a wonder before them I am.
He has made me a word of shame to the peoples; I have become a mark for their sport.
7 And dim from sorrow is mine eye, And my members as a shadow all of them.
My eyes have become dark because of my pain, and all my body is wasted to a shade.
8 Astonished are the upright at this, And the innocent against the profane Stirreth himself up.
The upright are surprised at this, and he who has done no wrong is troubled because of the evil-doers.
9 And the righteous layeth hold [on] his way, And the clean of hands addeth strength, And — dumb are they all.
Still the upright keeps on his way, and he who has clean hands gets new strength.
10 Return, and come in, I pray you, And I find not among you a wise man.
But come back, now, all of you, come; and I will not see a wise man among you.
11 My days have passed by, My devices have been broken off, The possessions of my heart!
My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the desires of my heart.
12 Night for day they appoint, Light [is] near because 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 To corruption I have called: — 'Thou [art] my father.' 'My mother' and 'my sister' — to the worm.
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? Yea, my hope, who doth behold it?
Where then is my hope? and who will see my desire?
