Job 17
1 My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves [are ready] for me.
My spirit is consumed, and my days are over; the grave is ready for me.
2 [Are there] not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?
Surely there are mockers with me; my eye must always see their provocation.
3 Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who [is] he [that] will strike hands with me?
Give now a pledge, be a guarantee for me with yourself; who else is there who will help me?
4 For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt [them].
For you, God, have kept their hearts from understanding; therefore, you will not exalt them over me.
5 He that speaketh flattery to [his] friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.
He who denounces his friends for a reward, the eyes of his children will fail.
6 He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.
But he has made me a byword of the people; they spit in my face.
7 Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members [are] as a shadow.
My eye is also dim because of sorrow; all my body parts are as thin as shadows.
8 Upright [men] shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.
Upright men will be stunned by this; the innocent man will stir himself up against godless men.
9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
The righteous man will keep to his way; he who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.
10 But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find [one] wise [man] among you.
But as for you all, come on now; I will not find a wise man among you.
11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, [even] the thoughts of my heart.
My days are past; my plans are shattered, and so are the desires of my heart.
12 They change the night into day: the light [is] short because of darkness.
These people, these mockers, change the night into day; light is near to darkness.
If the only home I hope for is Sheol; and if I have spread my couch in the darkness; (Sheol h7585)
14 I have said to corruption, Thou [art] my father: to the worm, [Thou art] my mother, and my sister.
and if I have said to the pit, 'You are my father,' and to the worm, 'You are my mother or my sister,'
15 And where [is] now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
where then is my hope? As for my hope, who can see any?
