Job 7

1 Is there not a limited time of service to a mortal upon the earth? Are not his days also like the days of a hired laborer?

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

2 As a servant eagerly longeth for the shadow, and as a hired laborer hopeth for his reward:

As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work:

3 So was I compelled to possess months of vanity, and nights of trouble were counted out unto me.

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

4 When I He down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am wearied with tossings about till the dawn of day.

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

5 My flesh is covered with worms and clods of dust: my skin is burst open, and become loathsome.

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

6 My days hasten away more swiftly than a weaver's shuttle, and they come to an end in the absence of hope.

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

7 Oh remember that nothing but a breath is my life; that my eye will not again see happiness;

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

8 The eye of him that seeth me now will not behold me again: [thou fixest] thy eyes upon me, and I am no more.

The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I am not.

9 As the cloud vanisheth and passeth away: so will he that goeth down to the nether world not come up again. (Sheol h7585)

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

10 He will return no more to his house, and his place will not recognize him any more.

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

11 Therefore will I also not restrain my mouth: I will speak in the anguish of my spirit: I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

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.

12 Am I a sea, or a monster, that thou settest a watch over me?

Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me?

13 For should I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall help me bear my complaint:

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

14 Then wouldst thou frighten me with dreams, and with visions wouldst thou terrify me;

Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:

15 So that my soul would choose strangling, death rather than these limbs of mine.

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

16 I loathe it; I cannot live for ever: let me alone; for my days are but nought.

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

17 What is the mortal, that thou shouldst make him great? and that thou shouldst direct thy heart toward him?

What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?

18 And that thou shouldst visit him every morning, probe him every moment?

And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?

19 How long wilt thou not turn thy regard from me, nor let; me loose till I swallow down my spittle?

How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?

20 If I have sinned, what [injury] can I cause unto thee, O thou Guardian of men? why hast thou set me as an object for thee to strike at, so that I am become a burden to myself?

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

21 And why wilt thou not forgive my transgression, and let my iniquity pass away? for soon must I lie down in the dust; and thou wilt seek for me, but I shall be no more.

And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.