Job 7
1 Doesn’t a human being have hard service on earth? Aren’t his days like those of a hired worker?
2 He is like a slave longing for shade, like a hired worker waiting for his pay.
3 So I have inherited months of emptiness, and nights of misery have been assigned to me.
4 When I lie down, I say, ‘When will I get up?’ The night drags on, and I toss and turn until dawn, growing weary.
5 My flesh is clothed with worms and clumps of dust; my skin breaks open and oozes again.
6 My days race faster than a weaver’s shuttle and come to an end without hope.
7 Remember that my life is a breath; my eye will never again see good.
8 The eye that sees me will see me no more; your eyes will be on me, but I will be gone.
9 As a cloud vanishes and passes away, so one who goes down to Sheol does not come up again.
10 He never returns to his house, and his place no longer recognizes him.
11 So I, too, will not hold back my mouth: I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.”
12 “Am I the sea, or a sea monster, that you set a guard over me?
13 For I said, ‘My bed will comfort me; my couch will ease my complaint.’
14 Then you terrify me with dreams and frighten me with visions.
15 My soul would rather be choked, would rather die, than endure these bones.
16 I loathe my life; I will not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are a breath.
17 What is a human being, that you make so much of him and set your heart on him?
18 You visit him every morning and test him at every moment.
19 How long will you keep your eyes from turning away from me, or leave me alone long enough to swallow my spit?
20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O guardian of humanity? Why have you made me your target, so that I have become a burden to myself?
21 Why do you not pardon my transgression and take away my guilt? For now I will lie down in the dust; you will seek me, but I will be gone.”
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