Job 17

1My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.

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

2Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?

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

3Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?

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

4For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them.

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

5He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.

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

6He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.

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

7Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.

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

8Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.

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

9The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

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

10But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.

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

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

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

12They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.

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

13If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.

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

14I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister.

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

15And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?

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

16They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.

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