Job 17

1My spirit is broken, my days are ended, the last resting-place is ready for me.

1My spirit shall be wasted, my days shall be shortened and only the grave remaineth for me.

2Truly, those who make sport of me are round about me, and my eyes become dark because of their bitter laughing.

2I have not sinned, and my eye abideth in bitterness.

3Be pleased, now, to be responsible for me to yourself; for there is no other who will put his hand in mine.

3Deliver me, O Lord, and set me beside thee, and let any man's hand fight against me.

4You have kept their hearts from wisdom: for this cause you will not give them honour.

4Thou hast set their heart far from understanding, therefore they shall not be exalted.

5As for him who is false to his friend for a reward, light will be cut off from the eyes of his children.

5He promiseth a prey to his companions, and the eyes of his children shall fail.

6He has made me a word of shame to the peoples; I have become a mark for their sport.

6He hath made me as it were a byword of the people, and I am an example before them.

7My eyes have become dark because of my pain, and all my body is wasted to a shade.

7My eye is dim through indignation, and my limbs are brought as it were to nothing.

8The upright are surprised at this, and he who has done no wrong is troubled because of the evil-doers.

8The just shall be astonished at this, and the innocent shall be raised up against the hypocrite.

9Still the upright keeps on his way, and he who has clean hands gets new strength.

9And the just man shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

10But come back, now, all of you, come; and I will not see a wise man among you.

10Wherefore be you all converted, and come, and I shall not find among you any wise man.

11My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the desires of my heart.

11My days have passed away, my thoughts are dissipated, tormenting my heart.

12They are changing night into day; they say, The light is near the dark.

12They have turned night into day, and after darkness I hope for light again.

13If I am waiting for the underworld as my house, if I have made my bed in the dark;

13If I wait hell is my house, and I have made my bed in darkness.

14If I say to the earth, You are my father; and to the worm, My mother and my sister;

14I have said to rottenness: Thou art my father; to worms, my mother and my sister.

15Where then is my hope? and who will see my desire?

15Where is now then my expectation, and who considereth my patience?

16Will they go down with me into the underworld? Will we go down together into the dust?

16All that I have shall go down into the deepest pit: thinkest thou that there at least I shall have rest?