Job 17
1 Mein Geist ist verstört, meine Tage erlöschen, die Gräber sind für mich.
“My (life/time to live) is almost ended; I have no strength left; my grave is waiting for me.
2 Sind nicht Spöttereien um mich her, und muß nicht mein Auge weilen auf ihren Beleidigungen?
Those who are around me are making fun of me; I [SYN] watch them while they (taunt/make fun of) me.”
3 Setze doch ein, leiste Bürgschaft für mich bei dir selbst! Wer ist es sonst, der in meine Hand einschlagen wird?
“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.
4 Denn ihre Herzen hast du der Einsicht verschlossen; darum wirst du ihnen nicht die Oberhand geben.
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].
5 Wenn einer die Freunde zur Beute ausbietet, so werden die Augen seiner Kinder verschmachten.
[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].
6 Und er hat mich hingestellt zum Sprichwort der Völker, und ich bin zum Anspeien ins Angesicht.
“But now people use that saying of our ancestors when they talk about me; they spit in my face [to insult me].
7 Und mein Auge ist trübe geworden vor Gram, und wie der Schatten sind alle meine Glieder.
(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.
8 Die Aufrichtigen werden sich hierüber entsetzen, und der Schuldlose wird aufgebracht werden über den Ruchlosen.
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.
9 Doch der Gerechte wird an seinem Wege festhalten, und der an Händen Reine wird an Stärke zunehmen.
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.
10 Aber ihr alle, kommet nur wieder heran! Und einen Weisen werde ich nicht unter euch finden.
“But even if all of those people came [and stood in front of me], I would not find anyone among them who is wise.
11 Meine Tage sind vorüber, zerrissen sind meine Pläne, das Eigentum meines Herzens.
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.
12 Die Nacht machen sie zum Tage, das Licht nahe vor lauter Finsternis.
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.
13 Wenn ich hoffe, so ist der Scheol mein Haus, in der Finsternis bette ich mein Lager. (Sheol h7585)
If my home will be the place where dead people are, where will I sleep in the darkness? (Sheol h7585)
14 Zur Verwesung rufe ich: Du bist mein Vater! zu dem Gewürm: Meine Mutter und meine Schwester!
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].’
15 Wo denn also ist meine Hoffnung? Ja, meine Hoffnung, wer wird sie schauen?
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]
16 Sie fährt hinab zu den Riegeln des Scheols, wenn wir miteinander im Staube Ruhe haben. (Sheol h7585)
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)
