CHAPTER 7
its days like those of a hireling?
a hireling who waits for wages,
and troubled nights have been counted off for me.
then the night drags on;
I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.
my skin cracks and festers;
they come to an end without hope.
my eye will not see happiness again.
when your eye is on me, I shall be gone.
so whoever goes down to Sheol shall not come up.
their place shall know them no more.
I will speak in the anguish of my spirit;
I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
that you place a watch over me?*
my couch shall ease my complaint,”
and terrify me with visions,
and death rather than my existence.*
let me alone, for my days are but a breath.
or pay them any heed?
and try them at every moment!
and let me alone till I swallow my spit?
O watcher of mortals?
Why have you made me your target?
Why should I be a burden for you?
or take away my guilt?
For soon I shall lie down in the dust;
and should you seek me I shall be gone.
* [7:1] Drudgery: taken by some to refer to military service; cf. also 14:14.
* [7:12–21] Job now speaks not to his friends (who never speak to God), but to God. He does this frequently; cf. 9:28; 10:2–22; 13:20–28; 14:13–22.
* [7:12] An allusion to the personification of primeval chaos as a monstrous ocean vanquished by God; see note on 3:8.
* [7:15] Existence: lit., bones; the Hebrew is unclear.
* [7:17–18] An ironic allusion to Ps 8:5.
Copyright 2019-2025 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy