Job 17
1 I perish, carried away by the wind, and I seek for burial, and obtain [it] not.
“My spirit is consumed. My days are extinct and the grave is ready for me.
2 Weary I entreat; and what have I done? and strangers have stolen my goods.
Surely there are mockers with me. My eye dwells on their provocation.
3 Who is this? let him join hands with me.
“Now give a pledge. Be collateral for me with yourself. Who is there who will strike hands with me?
4 For you have hid their heart from wisdom; therefore you shall not exalt them.
For you have hidden their heart from understanding, therefore you will not exalt them.
5 He shall promise mischief to [his] companions: but [their] eyes have failed for [their] children.
He who denounces his friends for plunder, even the eyes of his children will fail.
6 But you has made me a byword amount the nations, and I am become a scorn to them.
“But he has made me a byword of the people. They spit in my face.
7 For my eyes are dimmed through pain; I have been grievously beset by all.
My eye also is dim by reason of sorrow. All my members are as a shadow.
8 Wonder has seized true men upon this; and let the just rise up against the transgressor.
Upright men will be astonished at this. The innocent will stir himself up against the godless.
9 But let the faithful hold on his own way, and let him that is pure of hands take courage.
Yet the righteous will hold to his way. He who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.
10 Howbeit, do you all strengthen [yourselves] and come now, for I do not find truth in you.
But as for you all, come back. I will not find a wise man amongst you.
11 My days have passed in groaning, and my heart-strings are broken.
My days are past. My plans are broken off, as are the thoughts of my heart.
12 I have turned the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
They change the night into day, saying ‘The light is near’ in the presence of darkness.
If I look for Sheol as my house, if I have spread my couch in the darkness, (Sheol h7585)
14 I have called upon death to be my father, and corruption [to be] my mother and sister.
if I have said to corruption, ‘You are my father,’ and to the worm, ‘My mother,’ and ‘My sister,’
15 Where then is yet my hope? or [where] shall I see my good?
where then is my hope? As for my hope, who will see it?
