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?
“Isn’t a man forced to labor on earth? Aren’t his days like the days of a hired hand?
2 As a servant eagerly longeth for the shadow, and as a hired laborer hopeth for his reward:
As a servant who earnestly desires the shadow, as a hireling who looks for his wages,
3 So was I compelled to possess months of vanity, and nights of trouble were counted out unto me.
so I am made to possess months of misery, 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 will I arise, and the night be gone?’ I toss and turn until 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 closes up, and breaks out afresh.
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;
Oh remember that my life is a breath. My eye will 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 who sees me will see me no more. Your eyes will be on me, but I will not be.
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 vanishes away, so he who goes down to Sheol will 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 will return no more to his house, neither will 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 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 monster, that thou settest a watch over me?
Am I a sea, or a sea monster, that you put a guard 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 will comfort me. My couch will ease my complaint,’
14 Then wouldst thou frighten me with dreams, and with visions wouldst thou terrify me;
then you scare me with dreams and terrify me through visions,
15 So that my soul would choose strangling, death rather than these limbs of mine.
so that my soul chooses strangling, death rather than my bones.
16 I loathe it; I cannot live for ever: let me alone; for my days are but nought.
I loathe my life. I don’t want to live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath.
17 What is the mortal, that thou shouldst make him great? and that thou shouldst direct thy heart toward him?
What is man, that you should magnify him, that you should set your mind on him,
18 And that thou shouldst visit him every morning, probe him every moment?
that you should visit him every morning, and test 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 will you not look away from me, nor leave me alone until 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?
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 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.
Why do you not pardon my disobedience, and take away my iniquity? For now will I lie down in the dust. You will seek me diligently, but I will not be.”
