22 For only a few years will pass
before I go the way of no return.

17 My spirit is broken.
My days are extinguished.
A graveyard(A) awaits me.
Surely mockers surround[a] me,
and my eyes must gaze at their rebellion.(B)

Accept my pledge! Put up security for me.(C)
Who else will be my sponsor?[b]
You have closed their minds to understanding,
therefore you will not honor them.
If a man denounces his friends for a price,
the eyes of his children will fail.

He has made me an object of scorn to the people;
I have become a man people spit at.[c](D)
My eyes have grown dim from grief,
and my whole body has become but a shadow.
The upright are appalled(E) at this,
and the innocent are roused against the godless.
Yet the righteous person will hold to his way,
and the one whose hands are clean(F) will grow stronger.

Footnotes

  1. 17:2 Lit are with
  2. 17:3 Or Who is there that will shake hands with me?
  3. 17:6 Lit become a spitting to the faces

22 For when a few years have come,
    I shall go the way from which I shall not return.(A)

Job Prays for Relief

17 “My spirit is broken; my days are extinct;
    the grave is ready for me.(B)
Surely there are mockers around me,
    and my eye dwells on their provocation.(C)

“Lay down a pledge for me with yourself;
    who is there who will give surety for me?(D)
Since you have closed their minds to understanding,
    therefore you will not let them triumph.(E)
Those who denounce friends for reward—
    the eyes of their children will fail.(F)

“He has made me a byword of the peoples,
    and I am one before whom people spit.(G)
My eye has grown dim from grief,
    and all my members are like a shadow.(H)
The upright are appalled at this,
    and the innocent stir themselves up against the godless.
Yet the righteous hold to their way,
    and they who have clean hands grow stronger and stronger.(I)

22 “Only a few years will pass
    before I take the path of no return.(A)

17 My spirit(B) is broken,
    my days are cut short,(C)
    the grave awaits me.(D)
Surely mockers(E) surround me;(F)
    my eyes must dwell on their hostility.

“Give me, O God, the pledge you demand.(G)
    Who else will put up security(H) for me?(I)
You have closed their minds to understanding;(J)
    therefore you will not let them triumph.
If anyone denounces their friends for reward,(K)
    the eyes of their children will fail.(L)

“God has made me a byword(M) to everyone,(N)
    a man in whose face people spit.(O)
My eyes have grown dim with grief;(P)
    my whole frame is but a shadow.(Q)
The upright are appalled at this;
    the innocent are aroused(R) against the ungodly.
Nevertheless, the righteous(S) will hold to their ways,
    and those with clean hands(T) will grow stronger.(U)