Job 17
1 My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.
I perish, carried away by the wind, and I seek for burial, and obtain [it] not.
2 Are there not mockers with me? and does not my eye continue in their provocation?
Weary I intreat; and what have I done? and strangers have stolen my goods.
3 Lay down now, put me in a surety with you; who is he that will strike hands with me?
Who is this? let him join hands with me.
4 For you have hid their heart from understanding: therefore shall you not exalt them.
For thou hast hid their heart from wisdom; therefore thou shalt not exalt them.
5 He that speaks flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.
He shall promise mischief to [his] companions: but [their] eyes have failed for [their] children.
6 He has made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.
But thou has made me a byword amount the nations, and I am become a scorn to them.
7 My eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.
For my eyes are dimmed through pain; I have been grievously beset by all.
8 Upright men shall be astonished at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.
Wonder has seized true men upon this; and let the just rise up against the transgressor.
9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that has clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
But let the faithful hold on his own way, and let him that is pure of hands take courage.
10 But as for you all, do you return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.
Howbeit, do ye all strengthen [yourselves] and come now, for I do not find truth in you.
11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.
My days have passed in groaning, and my heart-strings are broken.
12 They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
I have turned the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
For if I remain, Hades is my habitation: and my bed has been made in darkness. (Sheol h7585)
14 I have said to corruption, You are my father: to the worm, You are my mother, and my sister.
I have called upon death to be my father, and corruption [to be] my mother and sister.
15 And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
Where then is yet my hope? or [where] shall I see my good?
