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.
My spirit will be wasted, my days will be shortened, and only the grave will be left for meI have not sinned, yet my eye remains in bitternessFree me, O Lord, and set me beside you, and let the hand of anyone you wish fight against meYou have set their heart far from discipline; therefore, they will not be praisedHe promises prey to his companions, but the eyes of his sons will grow faintHe has posted me like a proverb to the people, and I am an example in their presenceMy eyesight has been clouded by indignation, and my limbs have been reduced, as if to nothingThe just will be astounded over this, and the innocent will be stirred up against the hypocriteAnd the just will cling to his way, and clean hands will increase strengthTherefore, be converted, all of you, and approach, for I do not find in you any wisdomMy days have passed away; my thoughts have been scattered, tormenting my heartThey have turned night into day, and I hope for light again after the darknessIf I should wait, the underworld is my house, and in darkness I have spread out my bedI have said to decay and to worms: "You are my father, my mother, and my sister.Therefore, where is my expectation now, and who is it that considers my patienceEverything 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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