< Job 17 >

1 My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.
I perish, carried away by the wind, and I seek for burial, and obtain [it] not.
2 Are there not mockers with me? and doth not my eye continue in their provocation?
Weary I entreat; and what have I done? and strangers have stolen my goods.
3 Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?
Who is this? let him join hands with me.
4 For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them.
For you have hid their heart from wisdom; therefore you shall not exalt them.
5 He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.
He shall promise mischief to [his] companions: but [their] eyes have failed for [their] children.
6 He hath made me also a byword of the people; and as one before whom men spit.
But you has made me a byword amount the nations, and I am become a scorn to them.
7 My eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.
For my eyes are dimmed through pain; I have been grievously beset by all.
8 Upright men shall be appalled at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.
Wonder has seized true men upon this; and let the just rise up against the transgressor.
9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
But let the faithful hold on his own way, and let him that is pure of hands take courage.
10 But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.
Howbeit, do you all strengthen [yourselves] and come now, for I do not find truth in you.
11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.
My days have passed in groaning, and my heart-strings are broken.
12 They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
I have turned the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
13 If I wait, the grave is my house: I have made my bed in the darkness. (Sheol h7585)
For if I remain, Hades is my habitation: and my bed has been made in darkness. (Sheol h7585)
14 I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister.
I have called upon death to be my father, and corruption [to be] my mother and sister.
15 And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
Where then is yet my hope? or [where] shall I see my good?
16 They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust. (Sheol h7585)
Will they go down with me to Hades, or shall we go down together to the tomb? (Sheol h7585)

< Job 17 >