17 “人算什么,你竟这样看重他,
这样关注他?
18 你天天早上察看他,
时时刻刻考验他。
19 你的视线何时离开我,
给我咽口唾沫的时间?
20 鉴察世人的主啊,
我若犯了罪,又于你何妨?
为何把我当成你的箭靶?
难道我成了你的重担?
21 为何不赦免我的过犯,
饶恕我的罪恶?
我很快将归于尘土,
你将寻找我,
而我已不复存在。”

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17 “What is mankind that you make so much of them,
    that you give them so much attention,(A)
18 that you examine them every morning(B)
    and test them(C) every moment?(D)
19 Will you never look away from me,(E)
    or let me alone even for an instant?(F)
20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you,(G)
    you who see everything we do?
Why have you made me your target?(H)
    Have I become a burden to you?[a](I)
21 Why do you not pardon my offenses
    and forgive my sins?(J)
For I will soon lie down in the dust;(K)
    you will search for me, but I will be no more.”(L)

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Footnotes

  1. Job 7:20 A few manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, an ancient Hebrew scribal tradition and Septuagint; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text I have become a burden to myself.

17 What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?

18 And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?

19 How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?

20 I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?

21 And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.

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