The Book of Job

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(a)17:1 breath…: or, spirit is spent

(b)17:2 continue: Heb. lodge

(d)17:7 my members: or, my thoughts

(e)17:9 be…: Heb. add strength

(f)17:11 the thoughts: Heb. the possessions

(g)17:12 short: Heb. near

(h)17:14 said: Heb. cried, or, called

“My spirit is consumed. My days are extinct and the grave is ready for me.

Surely there are mockers with me. My eye dwells on their provocation.

“Now give a pledge. Be collateral for me with yourself. Who is there who will strike hands with me?

For you have hidden their heart from understanding, therefore you will not exalt them.

He who denounces his friends for plunder, even the eyes of his children will fail.

“But he has made me a byword of the people. They spit in my face.

My eye also is dim by reason of sorrow. All my members are as a shadow.

Upright men will be astonished at this. The innocent will stir himself up against the godless.

Yet the righteous will hold to his way. He who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.

But as for you all, come back. I will not find a wise man among you.

My days are past. My plans are broken off, as are the thoughts of my heart.

They change the night into day, saying ‘The light is near’ in the presence of darkness.

If I look for Sheol as my house, if I have spread my couch in the darkness,

if I have said to corruption, ‘You are my father,’ and to the worm, ‘My mother,’ and ‘My sister,’

where then is my hope? As for my hope, who will see it?

Shall it go down with me to the gates of Sheol, or descend together into the dust?”

(a)17:13 Sheol is the place of the dead.

(b)17:16 Sheol is the place of the dead.