Job 7

1 Is there not an appointed time to man on earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?

"Isn't a man forced to labor on earth? Aren't his days like the days of a hired hand?

2 As a servant earnestly desires the shadow, and as an hireling looks for the reward of his work:

As a servant who earnestly desires the shadow, as a hireling who looks for his wages,

3 So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.

so am I made to possess months of misery, wearisome nights are appointed to me.

4 When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro to the dawning of the day.

When I lie down, I say, 'When shall I arise, and the night be gone?' I toss and turn until the dawning of the day.

5 My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome.

My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust. My skin closes up, and breaks out afresh.

6 My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope.

My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.

7 O remember that my life is wind: my eye shall no more see good.

Oh remember that my life is a breath. My eye shall no more see good.

8 The eye of him that has seen me shall see me no more: your eyes are on me, and I am not.

The eye of him who sees me shall see me no more. Your eyes shall be on me, but I shall not be.

9 As the cloud is consumed and vanishes away: so he that goes down to the grave shall come up no more. (Sheol h7585)

As the cloud is consumed and vanishes away, so he who goes down to Sheol shall come up no more. (Sheol h7585)

10 He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.

He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.

11 Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

"Therefore I will not keep silent. I will speak in the anguish of my spirit. I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

12 Am I a sea, or a whale, that you set a watch over me?

Am I a sea, or a sea monster, that you put a guard over me?

13 When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaints;

When I say, 'My bed shall comfort me. My couch shall ease my complaint;'

14 Then you scare me with dreams, and terrify me through visions:

then you scare me with dreams, and terrify me through visions:

15 So that my soul chooses strangling, and death rather than my life.

so that my soul chooses strangling, death rather than my bones.

16 I loathe it; I would not live always: let me alone; for my days are vanity.

I loathe my life. I do not want to live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath.

17 What is man, that you should magnify him? and that you should set your heart on him?

What is man, that you should magnify him, that you should set your mind on him,

18 And that you should visit him every morning, and try him every moment?

that you should visit him every morning, and test him every moment?

19 How long will you not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?

How long will you not look away from me, nor leave me alone until I swallow down my spittle?

20 I have sinned; what shall I do to you, O you preserver of men? why have you set me as a mark against you, so that I am a burden to myself?

If I have sinned, what do I do to you, you watcher of men? Why have you set me as a mark for you, so that I am a burden to myself?

21 And why do you not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and you shall seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.

Why do you not pardon my disobedience, and take away my iniquity? For now shall I lie down in the dust. You will seek me diligently, but I shall not be."