Job 17
1 My spirit hath been destroyed, My days extinguished — graves [are] for me.
My spirit will be wasted, my days will be shortened, and only the grave will be left for me.
2 If not — mockeries [are] with me. And in their provocations mine eye lodgeth.
I have not sinned, yet my eye remains in bitterness.
3 Place, I pray Thee, my pledge with Thee; Who is he that striketh hand with me?
Free me, O Lord, and set me beside you, and let the hand of anyone you wish fight against me.
4 For their heart Thou hast hidden From understanding, Therefore Thou dost not exalt them.
You have set their heart far from discipline; therefore, they will not be praised.
5 For a portion he sheweth friendship, And the eyes of his sons are consumed.
He promises prey to his companions, but the eyes of his sons will grow faint.
6 And he set me up for a proverb of the peoples, And a wonder before them I am.
He has posted me like a proverb to the people, and I am an example in their presence.
7 And dim from sorrow is mine eye, And my members as a shadow all of them.
My eyesight has been clouded by indignation, and my limbs have been reduced, as if to nothing.
8 Astonished are the upright at this, And the innocent against the profane Stirreth himself up.
The just will be astounded over this, and the innocent will be stirred up against the hypocrite.
9 And the righteous layeth hold [on] his way, And the clean of hands addeth strength, And — dumb are they all.
And the just will cling to his way, and clean hands will increase strength.
10 Return, and come in, I pray you, And I find not among you a wise man.
Therefore, be converted, all of you, and approach, for I do not find in you any wisdom.
11 My days have passed by, My devices have been broken off, The possessions of my heart!
My days have passed away; my thoughts have been scattered, tormenting my heart.
12 Night for day they appoint, Light [is] near because of darkness.
They have turned night into day, and I hope for light again after the darkness.
If I should wait, the underworld is my house, and in darkness I have spread out my bed. (Sheol h7585)
14 To corruption I have called: — 'Thou [art] my father.' 'My mother' and 'my sister' — to the worm.
I have said to decay and to worms: “You are my father, my mother, and my sister.”
15 And where [is] now my hope? Yea, my hope, who doth behold it?
Therefore, where is my expectation now, and who is it that considers my patience?
