XVII. 1909-14. The Book of Job. The Harvard Classics

The Book of Job.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

XVII


[1]	MY spirit is consumed, my days are extinct, The grave is ready for me.
[2]	Surely there are mockers 1 with me, And mine eye dwelleth upon their provocation.

[3]	Give now a pledge, be surety for me with thyself; Who is there that will strike hands with me?
[4]	For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: Therefore shalt thou not exalt them.
[5]	He that denounceth his friends for a prey, 2 Even the eyes of his children shall fail.

[6]	But he hath made me a by-word of the people; And they spit in my face.
[7]	Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, And all my members are as a shadow.
[8]	Upright men shall be astonished at this, And the innocent shall stir up himself against the godless.
[9]	Yet shall the righteous hold on his way, And he that hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger.
[10]	But as for you all, come on now again; And 3 I shall not find a wise man among you.
[11]	My days are past, my purposes are broken off, Even the thoughts 4 of my heart.
[12]	They change the night into day: The light, say they, is near unto 5 the darkness.
[13]	If I look 6 for Sheol as my house; If I have spread my couch in the darkness;
[14]	If I have said to corruption, 7 Thou art my father; To the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister;
[15]	Where then is my hope? And as for my hope, who shall see it?
[16]	It shall go down to the bars of Sheol, When once there is rest in the dust.

Note 1. Heb. mockery. [back]

Note 2. Heb. portion. [back]

Note 3. Or, For I find not. [back]

Note 4. Heb. possessions. [back]

Note 5. Or, because of. [back]

Note 6. Or, hope, Sheol is my house; I have spread … I have said … And where now is my hope? [back]

Note 7. Or, the pit. [back]