Job Appeals from Men to God

1My spirit hath been destroyed, My days extinguished -- graves are for me.

2If not -- mockeries are with me. And in their provocations mine eye lodgeth.

3Place, I pray Thee, my pledge with Thee; Who is he that striketh hand with me?

4For their heart Thou hast hidden From understanding, Therefore Thou dost not exalt them.

5For a portion he sheweth friendship, And the eyes of his sons are consumed.

6And he set me up for a proverb of the peoples, And a wonder before them I am.

7And dim from sorrow is mine eye, And my members as a shadow all of them.

8Astonished are the upright at this, And the innocent against the profane Stirreth himself up.

9And the righteous layeth hold on his way, And the clean of hands addeth strength, And -- dumb are they all.

10Return, and come in, I pray you, And I find not among you a wise man.

11My days have passed by, My devices have been broken off, The possessions of my heart!

12Night for day they appoint, Light is near because of darkness.

13If I wait -- Sheol is my house, In darkness I have spread out my couch.

14To corruption I have called: -- 'Thou art my father.' 'My mother' and 'my sister' -- to the worm.

15And where is now my hope? Yea, my hope, who doth behold it?

16To the parts of Sheol ye go down, If together on the dust we may rest.