Job 17
1 Mein Lebensgeist ist zerstört, meine Tage sind erloschen, die Gräberstätte wartet mein.
“My (life/time to live) is almost ended; I have no strength left; my grave is waiting for me.
2 Dann treiben sie fürwahr noch Spott mit mir! Auf ihrem Hadern muß mein Auge weilen!
Those who are around me are making fun of me; I [SYN] watch them while they (taunt/make fun of) me.”
3 O setze ein, verbürge dich für mich bei dir! Wer anders sollte mir den Handschlag geben?
“God, [it is as though I am in prison; ] please pay the money in order that I may be released, because there is certainly no one else who will help me.
4 Denn ihr Herz hast du der Einsicht verschlossen, darum wirst du sie auch nicht obsiegen lassen.
You have prevented my friends from understanding [what is true about me]; do not allow them to triumph over me, [saying that I have done things that are wrong].
5 Zur Beuteteilung verrät man Freunde, und seiner Kinder Augen schmachten hin.
[Our ancestors often said, ‘It often happens that] when someone betrays his friends in order to get some of their property, it is that person’s children who will be punished for it;’ [so I desire/hope that will be true of these friends of mine who are lying about me].
6 Zu einem Sprichwort für alle Welt hat er mich hingestellt, anspeien lassen muß ich mich ins Angesicht,
“But now people use that saying of our ancestors when they talk about me; they spit in my face [to insult me].
7 so daß mein Auge blöde ward vor Kummer, und alle meine Glieder nur ein Schatten sind.
(My sight has become dim/I cannot see well) because I am extremely sad, and my arms and legs are [very thin, with the result that they almost do not cast] [MET] a shadow.
8 Darüber entsetzen sich die Rechtschaffenen, und der Unschuldige empört sich über den Ruchlosen.
Those who [say that they] are good/righteous are shocked [when they see what has happened to me], and people who [say that they] (are innocent/have not done anything that is wrong) say that I am wicked/godless and should be punished.
9 Doch der Fromme hält fest an seinem Weg, und wer reine Hände hat, erstarkt nur noch mehr.
Those who [claim that they] are righteous will continue to do what [they think] is right, and those [who say] they have not sinned will continue to become stronger.
10 Ihr alle aber kommt nur wieder heran, ich werde unter euch doch keinen Weisen finden.
“But even if all of those people came [and stood in front of me], I would not find anyone among them who is wise.
11 Meine Tage sind dahin, meine Pläne sind zerrissen, sie, meines Herzens Hoffnungen.
My (life/time to live) is almost ended; I have not been able to do the things that I confidently expected to do; [I have not been able to accomplish] anything that I [SYN] desired.
12 Nacht wollen sie zum Tage machen, Licht soll mir näher sein als Finsternis.
My friends do not know when it is night and when it is day; when it is night, they claim that it is daylight; when it is becoming dark, they claim it is becoming light.
13 Wenn ich auf die Unterwelt als meine Behausung hoffe, in der Finsternis mein Lager hingebreitet habe, (Sheol h7585)
If my home will be the place where dead people are, where will I sleep in the darkness? (Sheol h7585)
14 wenn ich das Grab mein Vater nenne, “meine Mutter und Schwester” das Gewürm -
I may say to the grave, ‘You will be [like] a father to me,’ and say to the maggots [that will eat my body], ‘You will be [like] a mother or younger sisters to me [because you will be where I will always be].’
15 wo bleibt denn da meine Hoffnung, und meine Hoffnung, wer erschaut sie?
But if I say those things, (will there be anything good that I can confidently expect to happen to me?/there will be nothing good that I can confidently expect to happen to me.) [RHQ] (Is there anyone who knows anything good that I can expect when I am in the grave?/No one knows anything good that I can expect when I am in the grave.) [RHQ]
After I descend to the place where the dead are, (will I be able to confidently expect anything good there?/I certainly will not be able to confidently expect anything good there.) [RHQ] [It will be as though] [RHQ] I and the things I hope for will descend with me into the dust [where the dead are].” (Sheol h7585)
