Job 17
Job laments the shortening of his days and the bitterness in his eyes, despite not having sinned. He feels God has set his enemies' hearts against discipline and they will not be praised. Job's suffering has made him a proverb to the people, and he feels his body is being reduced to nothing. He urges his friends to turn back and seek wisdom, as he has lost all hope and expects to descend into the underworld.
1My spirit will be wasted, my days will be shortened, and only the grave will be left for me2I have not sinned, yet my eye remains in bitterness3Free me, O Lord, and set me beside you, and let the hand of anyone you wish fight against me4You have set their heart far from discipline; therefore, they will not be praised5He promises prey to his companions, but the eyes of his sons will grow faint6He has posted me like a proverb to the people, and I am an example in their presence7My eyesight has been clouded by indignation, and my limbs have been reduced, as if to nothing8The just will be astounded over this, and the innocent will be stirred up against the hypocrite9And the just will cling to his way, and clean hands will increase strength10Therefore, be converted, all of you, and approach, for I do not find in you any wisdom11My days have passed away; my thoughts have been scattered, tormenting my heart12They have turned night into day, and I hope for light again after the darkness13If I should wait, the underworld is my house, and in darkness I have spread out my bed14I have said to decay and to worms: "You are my father, my mother, and my sister.15Therefore, where is my expectation now, and who is it that considers my patience16Everything of mine will descend into the deepest underworld; do you think that, in that place at least, there will be rest for me
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