Job 17

Job Continues to Defend His Innocence

1My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me. +

2Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation? +

3Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me? +

4For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them. +

5He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail. +

6He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret. +

7Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.

8Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite. +

9The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. +

10But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you. +

11My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart. +

12They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.

13If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness. +

14I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister. +

15And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it? +

16They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust. +